Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Embargo \Em*bar"go\, n.; pl. {Embargoes}. [Sp., fr. embargar to
   arrest, restrain; pref. em- (L. in) + Sp. barra bar, akin to
   F. barre bar. See {Bar}.]
   An edict or order of the government prohibiting the departure
   of ships of commerce from some or all of the ports within its
   dominions; a prohibition to sail.

   Note: If the embargo is laid on an enemy's ships, it is
         called a hostile embargo; if on the ships belonging to
         citizens of the embargoing state, it is called a civil
         embargo.

Embargo \Em*bar"go\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Embargoed}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Embargoing}.]
   To lay an embargo on and thus detain; to prohibit from
   leaving port; -- said of ships, also of commerce and goods.

Source : WordNet®

embargo
     n : a government order imposing a trade barrier [syn: {trade
         embargo}, {trade stoppage}]
     v 1: ban the publication of (documents), as for security or
          copyright reasons; "embargoed publications"
     2: prevent commerce; "The U.S. embargoes Lybia"
     [also: {embargoes} (pl)]