oligopoly

noun

ol·​i·​gop·​o·​ly ˌä-lə-ˈgä-pə-lē How to pronounce oligopoly (audio)
ˌō-
: a market situation in which each of a few producers affects but does not control the market
oligopolist noun
oligopolistic adjective

Examples of oligopoly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The industry is highly concentrated, an oligopoly with Cognizant competing against major players such as Accenture, Infosys and Capgemini. Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 15 Mar. 2025 Drug and medical-device manufacturers, hospitals in a metro area and health managers like UnitedHealth, Cigna or HCA are oligopolies. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2025 Indigenous innovation stalled, as monopolies and oligopolies captured the benefits of government protections and created a bevy of multimillionaires and billionaires. Shannon K. O'Neil, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2020 Mining would cease to be a globally competitive industry and would simply be an oligopoly accruing to those with access to the quantum computer. Korok Ray, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for oligopoly

Word History

Etymology

olig- + -poly (as in monopoly)

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oligopoly was in 1895

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Cite this Entry

“Oligopoly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oligopoly. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Legal Definition

oligopoly

noun
ol·​i·​gop·​o·​ly ˌä-li-ˈgä-pə-lē, ˌō- How to pronounce oligopoly (audio)
plural oligopolies
: a condition in which a few sellers dominate a particular market to the detriment of competition by others

More from Merriam-Webster on oligopoly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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