empire

1 of 2

noun

em·​pire ˈem-ˌpī(-ə)r How to pronounce empire (audio)
1
a(1)
: a major political unit having a territory of great extent or a number of territories or peoples under a single sovereign authority
especially : one having an emperor as chief of state
(2)
: the territory of such a political unit
b
: something resembling a political empire
especially : an extensive territory or enterprise under single domination or control
2
: imperial sovereignty, rule, or dominion
3
capitalized [Empire State, nickname for New York] : a juicy apple with dark red skin that is a cross between a McIntosh apple and a Red Delicious apple

Empire

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a style (as of clothing or furniture) popular in early 19th century France

Examples of empire in a Sentence

Noun She built a tiny business into a worldwide empire. He controlled a cattle empire in the heart of Texas.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Watch Hatfields & McCoys on Amazon Prime Video The Son Love a good multi-generational family saga? Like Yellowstone, this AMC series follows the rise (and potential fall) of a family empire. Emily Blackwood, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 During the peak of the powerful Aksum empire in northern Ethiopia — between about the third and sixth centuries A.D. — Adulis connected the empire to other ancient civilizations, the ministry said. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024 Beyoncé, couture and palaces: India’s growing taste for mega-weddings Anant is a director at Reliance’s new energy business and one of Ambani’s three children who are the heirs to his empire. Reuters, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024 In Britain’s disintegrating empire, especially in Africa, the new capitals included Dodoma, in Tanzania; Gaborone, in Botswana; and Lilongwe, in Malawi. Simon Romero Alejandro Cegarra, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024 The billionaire’s run-in with Beijing has cost his empire—including Ant and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.—more than $800 billion in lost valuation, while derailing what would have been the largest initial public offering ever. Cathy Chan, Fortune Asia, 26 Feb. 2024 By the end of the season, even he’s come around to realizing that lording over a drug empire might be his true calling in life. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2024 As Bloomberg reports, Chinese SOEs have stakes in six of the company’s direct-sales businesses, and in other parts of its empire. David Meyer, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2024 The ramen empire’s latest location will open its doors Wednesday, Feb. 21 inside Ocean Ranch Village. Brock Keeling, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'empire.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, "supreme power, position of an emperor, territory under an emperor's rule," borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin imperium "authority over family members and slaves exercised by the head of a household, supreme administrative authority, dominion, power exercised by a Roman emperor," from imperāre "to give orders, exercise authority, hold political power" + -ium, deverbal suffix of function or state — more at emperor

Adjective

French, from (le premier) Empire the first Empire of France

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Adjective

1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of empire was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near empire

Cite this Entry

“Empire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empire. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

empire

noun
em·​pire ˈem-ˌpī(ə)r How to pronounce empire (audio)
1
a
: a major political unit with a large territory or a number of territories or peoples under one ruler with total authority
especially : one having an emperor as chief of state
b
: the territory of such a unit
c
: something resembling an empire
especially : a large group of businesses under one control
2
: the state of being under or of having complete rule or control

More from Merriam-Webster on empire

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