# monopoly

/məˈnɑpəɫi/ (US) · /mənˈɒpəli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/monopoly
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. market control

noun · CEFR B2

when one company or group is the only one selling a product or service, so they have no competition.

For teachers: exclusive possession or control of the supply of or trade in a commodity or service. Often used with the preposition 'on'.

- The government is trying to break up the company's monopoly on high-speed internet.
- Economists argue that a natural monopoly can emerge when the high costs of infrastructure prevent any meaningful competition from entering the market.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'on' or 'of'.

### 2. exclusive possession

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

complete control over something, like a conversation or someone's time, so that others cannot join in.

For teachers: the exclusive possession or control of something that is not a commercial commodity, such as attention or a specific skill.

- He had a monopoly on the conversation and didn't let anyone else speak.
- No single political party can claim a monopoly on wisdom or patriotism during a national crisis.

Teaching tip: This is a figurative use of the economic term. It is common in formal debates or academic writing.

### 3. the board game

noun · CEFR A2

a popular board game where players buy streets and build houses to win money from others.

For teachers: a proprietary board game in which players move around the board buying and developing properties.

- We spent the whole rainy afternoon playing Monopoly in the living room.
- The game of Monopoly was originally designed to demonstrate the negative aspects of concentrating land in private hands.

Usage: Usually capitalized as it is a brand name.

## Examples

- The government broke up the company to prevent a monopoly.
- Because the firm held a monopoly on local internet services, residents had no choice but to pay high monthly fees.
- Economists argue that a natural monopoly may emerge in industries with high infrastructure costs, where it is more efficient for one firm to serve the entire market than for several to compete.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.