'monopolism' originates from the English noun 'monopoly' plus the suffix '-ism' (from Greek '-ismos' via Latin), where 'monopoly' itself ultimately comes from Greek 'monōpolion' and the elements 'monos' meant 'single' and 'polein' meant 'to sell'.

'monōpolion' (Greek) became Latin/Medieval Latin forms such as 'monopolium', then entered Middle French and early Modern English as 'monopoly'; English later formed 'monopolism' by adding the productive suffix '-ism' to denote a system, practice, or doctrine.

Initially, the root referred to the idea of an 'exclusive right to trade' or a single seller; over time English developed senses relating both to the condition of exclusive control and to the doctrine or policy endorsing such exclusive control, now expressed by 'monopolism'.