1. groups of businesses that work together to control prices and limit competition
Usage: economics; business
2. criminal organizations that control illegal drug trade
Usage: criminology

Examples

• Oil cartels can influence global fuel prices.
• The government broke up several business cartels to restore fair competition.
• Drug cartels control much of the illegal trafficking in the region.
• International cartels often fix prices across multiple countries.
• Law enforcement agencies work together to combat powerful cartels.
• The cartel members agreed to limit production to keep prices high.