Embargo

noun (countable); also verb (transitive)

/ɪmˈbɑːɡəʊ/

A government-ordered prohibition on trade with a particular country, usually concerning specific goods (arms, oil, technology) or all commerce. Unlike broad sanctions, an embargo is specifically a trade ban: the US arms embargo on India from 1998–2001 (post-Pokhran tests) and the ongoing US embargo on Cuba (in place since 1962) are standard UPSC examples. The UN Security Council can authorise mandatory arms embargoes, as it did against North Korea.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

India responded to the post-Pokhran arms embargo imposed by the United States in 1998 by accelerating indigenous defence programmes under DRDO, demonstrating that punitive trade restrictions can inadvertently strengthen a target nation's resolve to achieve self-reliance.

Synonyms

trade banblockade (partial)prohibitionsanctionmoratoriumrestriction

Antonyms

free tradeopen commerceliberalisationlifting of restrictions

🌱 Word Family

embargo (n/v), embargoed (adj), embargoing (v), disembargo (v, rare), embargo-busting (n)

🔡 Root

Spanish embargar = to bar, to restrain; em- (in) + barra = bar, obstruction (Old French/Vulgar Latin barra)

📜 Etymology

From Spanish embargo, from embargar ('to bar, restrain, impound'), from Vulgar Latin imbarricare (im- + barra, 'bar, bolt'). The word entered English in the early 17th century in maritime legal contexts — an order barring ships from a port. It subsequently broadened to mean any state-mandated prohibition on trade or movement of goods.

🧠 Memory Hook

Think of a harbour bar: em-bargo — an 'in-bar' or 'put behind bars.' A ship cannot leave because the bar (the gate) is down. An embargo bars trade, like a harbour bar locking in ships.

🤝 International Relations 📖 Seen in: India's Foreign Policy — Evolution, Do...

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