Main Entry: im·pe·ri·al·ism

Pronunciation: \im-ˈpir-ē-ə-ˌli-zəm\

Function: noun

Date: 1800

1 : imperial government, authority, or system
2 : the policy, practice, or advocacy of extending the power and dominion of a nation especially by direct territorial acquisitions or by gaining indirect control over the political or economic life of other areas; broadly : the extension or imposition of power, authority, or influence <union imperialism>

— im·pe·ri·al·ist \-list\ noun or adjective

— im·pe·ri·al·is·tic \-ˌpir-ē-ə-ˈlis-tik\ adjective

— im·pe·ri·al·is·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb