• (RP) IPA: /kɑːˈtɛl/
• (America) IPA: /kɑɹˈtɛl/

cartel (plural cartels)

1. (economics) A group of businesses or nations that collude to limit competition within an industry or market.

   drug cartel

   car cartel

2. (historical, politics) A combination of political groups (notably parties) for common action.
3. (historical) A written letter of defiance or challenge.
   • 1820, Walter Scott, Ivanhoe; a Romance. [...] In Three Volumes, volume (please specify ), Edinburgh: Printed for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co. […], OCLC 230694662 ↗:

   • 1603, Michel de Montaigne, John Florio, transl., The Essayes, […], printed at London: By Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], OCLC 946730821 ↗:

     Xerxes whipped the Sea, and writ a cartell of defiance to the hill Athos.

4. (historical, legal) An official agreement concerning the exchange of prisoners.
   • 1832, Washington Irving, Tales of the Alhambra

     He then sent down a flag of truce in military style, proposing a cartel or exchange of prisoners – the corporal for the notary.

5. (historical, nautical) A ship used to negotiate with an enemy in time of war, and to exchange prisoners.

• French: cartel
• German: Kartell
• Portuguese: cartel
• Russian: карте́ль
• Spanish: cártel

• French: cartel
• Russian: карте́ль

• Russian: карте́ль

• Russian: карте́ль