Sherman Antitrust Act
noun
an act of Congress (1890) prohibiting any contract, conspiracy, or combination of business interests in restraint of foreign or interstate trade.
Compare
Clayton Antitrust Act.
Origin of Sherman Antitrust Act
named after John
Sherman, who introduced the bill in Congress
Cultural definitions for sherman antitrust act
Sherman Antitrust Act
A federal law passed in 1890 that committed the American government to opposing monopolies. The law prohibits contracts, combinations, or conspiracies “in the restraint of trade or commerce.” Under the authority of the Sherman Antitrust Act, the federal government initiated suits against the Standard Oil Company and the American Tobacco Company. (See trust busting.)