C1nounbusinesscrime
US/kɑːrˈtel/
UK/kɑːˈtel/
a group of companies that agree to keep prices high and limit competition
In context
Regulators fined the cartel for fixing the price of cement.
The oil cartel decided to cut production to raise prices.
Police arrested the leaders of a drug cartel at the border.
Words that go with cartel
noun + noun
- oil cartelThe oil cartel meets twice a year to set output.
- drug cartelThe drug cartel controlled the port for years.
adjective + noun
- price-fixing cartelThe authorities broke up a price-fixing cartel.
verb + noun
- form a cartelThree airlines formed a cartel to fix fares.
- break up a cartelThe commission broke up the cartel in 2019.