embargo
/ɪmˈbɑɹɡoʊ/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.31 in modern English
12
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
3
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
An order by the government prohibiting ships from leaving port.
noun
noun
A heavy burden or severe constraint on action or expenditure.
name
A barangay of Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental, Philippines.
Example Sentences
- "Instead he [Jefferson] proposed an embargo, an end to all trade between America and England."
- "This copy of the federal budget is under embargo until 2 p.m."
- "They were delighted with the idea of their mamma having forgiven Louisa, but sorry, she thought, such a public proof of her pardon necessary as that of giving a party; for the sisters well knew how great an embargo it would lay on the purses of Helen and Georgiana;..."
- "Embargoed until after first reading in Parliament"
Etymology
From Spanish embargar (“to arrest”), from late Latin *imbarricāre (“to bar”), from Latin in- + Vulgar Latin *barra (“bar, barrier”).
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ɪmˈbɑɹɡoʊ/
- British English: /ɪmˈbɑːɡəʊ/