oligopoly

ol·i·gop·o·ly  (l-gp-l, l-)

n. pl. ol·i·gop·o·lies

A market condition in which sellers are so few that the actions of any one of them will materially affect price and have a measurable impact on competitors.

---

[oligo- + (mono)poly.]

---

oli·gopo·listic (-lstk) adj.

---

oligopoly

Noun

pl -lies Econ a market situation in which control over the supply of a commodity is held by a small number of producers [Greek oligos few + pōlein to sell]

---

oligopoly

the market condition that exists when there are few sellers. — oligopolistic, adj.

See also: Trade

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

oligopoly - (economics) a market in which control over the supply of a commodity is in the hands of a small number of producers and each one can influence prices and affect competitors market, marketplace, market place - the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold; "without competition there would be no market"; "they were driven from the marketplace" economic science, economics, political economy - the branch of social science that deals with the production and distribution and consumption of goods and services and their management