empire

1 of 2

noun

em·​pire ˈem-ˌpī(-ə)r 

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

Empire [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

Em·​pire ˈäm-ˌpir  ˈem-ˌpī(-ə)r 

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

Synonyms of empire

Noun

• conglomerate

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

Central to that is the respected figure of George Syrianos, who had previously been the global technical director for Forest, Olympiacos and Rio Ave — the three teams within the Evangelos Marinakis football empire. — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

The money from selling the antiquities is yet another input enriching the RSF’s financial empire, which experts count as one of the world’s largest non-state economies. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Brasserie Boulud, New York City Last year Daniel Boulud shuttered Bar Boulud, Boulud Sud, and Épicerie Boulud across from Lincoln Center, but this didn’t represent a retrenchment of the beloved chef’s dining empire. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2026

But at a lower tier, WAGs are building empires via content creation, leaning into the label placed upon them by the public and proving their value extends far beyond just being a wife. — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026

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

Phrases Containing empire

• Empire Day
• Holy Roman Empire
• Second Empire

Kids Definition

empire

noun

em·​pire ˈem-ˌpī(ə)r 

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