Etymology From Spanish embargar (“to arrest”), from late Latin *imbarricāre (“to bar”), from Latin in- + Vulgar Latin *barra (“bar, barrier”).
1
An order by the government prohibiting ships from leaving port.
2
A ban on trade with another country.
Instead he [Jefferson] proposed an embargo, an end to all trade between America and England.2004, Chris Wallace, Character: Profiles in Presidential Courage:
3
A temporary ban on making certain information public.
This copy of the federal budget is under embargo until 2 p.m.
4
A heavy burden or severe constraint on action or expenditure.
They were delighted with the idea of their mamma having forgiven Louisa, but sorry, she thought, such a public proof of her pardon necessary as that of giving a party; for the sisters well knew how great an embargo it would lay on the purses of Helen and Georgiana;...1842, [anonymous collaborator of Letitia Elizabeth Landon], chapter XXVII, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 44:
Etymology From Spanish embargar (“to arrest”), from late Latin *imbarricāre (“to bar”), from Latin in- + Vulgar Latin *barra (“bar, barrier”).
1
To impose an embargo on trading certain goods with another country.
2
To impose an embargo on a document.
Embargoed until after first reading in Parliament2023 July 4, “Introduction of the Lease Agreements for Retail Premises Bill”, in Ministry of Trade and Industry, archived from the original on 31 Jul 2023: