oligopoly

[US]/ˌɒlɪ'gɒp(ə)lɪ/
[UK]/ˌɑlə'gɑpəli/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

n. a market situation in which supply is limited and dominated by a small number of sellers.

Phrases & Collocations

oligopoly market

oligopoly price

Example Sentences

The telecommunications industry is dominated by an oligopoly of a few major companies.

Oligopoly can lead to higher prices for consumers due to limited competition.

In an oligopoly market, firms often engage in price collusion to maximize profits.

Oligopoly can result in barriers to entry for new competitors trying to enter the market.

The airline industry is an example of an oligopoly with a few major carriers dominating the market.

Oligopoly can lead to less innovation as companies may focus more on maintaining market share than on research and development.

Collusion among firms in an oligopoly can be illegal and subject to antitrust laws.

Oligopoly markets are characterized by a few large firms controlling the majority of market share.

The pharmaceutical industry is often cited as an example of an oligopoly due to the limited number of large drug companies.

Government regulation is sometimes necessary in oligopoly markets to prevent anti-competitive behavior.

Real-world Examples

A small number of companies that control an industry is called an oligopoly.

Source: VOA Special October 2014 Collection

For one thing, it remains an entrenched oligopoly.

Source: The Economist (Summary)

Oligopolies are all over the place.

Source: Economic Crash Course

Now, when few firms have a large majority of market share, it's called an oligopoly.

Source: Economic Crash Course

A new species of big beast had reared its head: vast state-controlled oligopolies from emerging markets.

Source: The Economist - Comprehensive

Warren Buffett, a man who knows an oligopoly when he sees one, bought nearly $10bn-worth of airline stock in 2016.

Source: Dominance Episode 1

The last type are oligopolies, and that's what we're gonna focus on today.

Source: Economic Crash Course

Oligopolies are markets that have high barriers to entry and are controlled by a few large companies.

Source: Economic Crash Course

Economists like to explain oligopolies and game theory by creating something called a payoff matrix.

Source: Economic Crash Course

Now, payoff scenarios for companies are never this transparent, but the matrix says a lot about oligopolies.

Source: Economic Crash Course

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