Em·bar·go n.; pl. Embargoes An edict or order of the government prohibiting the departure of ships of commerce from some or all of the ports within its dominions; a prohibition to sail.
Note: ☞ If the embargo is laid on an enemy's ships, it is called a hostile embargo; if on the ships belonging to citizens of the embargoing state, it is called a civil embargo.
embargo
n : a government order imposing a trade barrier [syn: trade
embargo, trade stoppage]
v 1: ban the publication of (documents), as for security or
copyright reasons; "embargoed publications"
2: prevent commerce; "The U.S. embargoes Lybia"
[also: embargoes (pl)]