OLIGOPOLY: A market structure dominated by a small number of large firms, selling either identical or differentiated products, and significant barriers to entry into the industry. This is one of four basic market structures. The other three are perfect competition, monopoly, and monopolistic competition.

     See also | market structure | firm | industry | oligopoly characteristics | oligopolistic behavior | market control | product differentiation | barrier to entry | concentration ratio | merger | nonprice competition | collusion | cartel | monopoly | monopolistic competition | oligopsony | antitrust laws | technology | economic growth |