Guest

controlled market

/kənˈtroʊld ˈmɑːrkɪt/ · con·trolled mar·ket
noun
  1. A market in which supply, pricing, or distribution is regulated or directed by an authority, such as a government or a dominant firm. During the crisis, the government created a controlled market for essential food items to prevent price gouging.
  2. A segment of a market that is deliberately limited in size or scope by policy or corporate strategy. The telecom company operates a controlled market for premium data plans, restricting access to high‑value customers.
Did you know? The term ‘controlled market’ became a staple of Cold War economic debates, used by Western analysts to critique the centrally planned economies of the Eastern Bloc.
Written by Lexi Wordsworth, Dictionary Editor 0 lookups Added Jul 21, 2026