chaebol

noun

chae·​bol ˈchā-ˌbōl How to pronounce chaebol (audio)
ˈje-ˌbəl
plural chaebol also chaebols
: a family-controlled industrial conglomerate in South Korea

Examples of chaebol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rapper Annie is the first chaebol heiress K-pop idol. — Jae-Ha Kim, Rolling Stone, 8 Dec. 2025 Heo Nam-jun (the second soul) is the cold-blooded chaebol heir she is fated to clash with. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 5 June 2026 The largest and most successful chaebol of all is Samsung Group. — Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026 Analysts also pointed to the chaebol system of family-run conglomerates. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for chaebol

Word History

Etymology

Korean chaebŏl, from chae wealth, property + pŏl faction, clan

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chaebol was in 1972

Rhymes for chaebol

See All Rhymes for chaebol

Browse Nearby Words

Chadwick
chaebol
Chaenactis
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chaebol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chaebol. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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