empire

noun

em·pire | \ ˈem-ˌpī(-ə)r

Definition of empire

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a(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

adjective

Em·pire | \ ˈäm-ˌpir

, ˈem-ˌpī(-ə)r

Definition of Empire (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about empire

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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

The war felled Russian, German, Austro-Hungarian, and Ottoman empires at a stroke. — K.n.c., The Economist, "The radical politics of futurists and fascists—and us, here, today," 19 July 2019 That preparation is obvious in the sweeping empire Serena has built off the court. — Jamie Lisanti, SI.com, "Serving Notice: Serena Williams Styles On and Off the Court," 18 July 2019 In the case of the Third Reich, redesigning Berlin to be a world capital in its image meant monuments at a size and scale never before seen in history (though the ideas were all copied from past empires). — Curbed Staff, Curbed, "Obsessed with utopias? Read the books that inspired ‘Nice Try!’," 18 July 2019 Mike Fleiss, the man behind a TV dating show empire designed to bring couples together, is being accused of domestic violence by his pregnant wife, Laura. — Bill Keveney, USA TODAY, "'Bachelor' creator Mike Fleiss accused of abusing pregnant wife, demanding she get abortion," 17 July 2019 Needing ambassadors like Eddy to bind this increasingly sprawling empire together with a shared sense of mission, Aramco assembled a legion of visionaries. — Darren Dochuk, The New Republic, "Men of God and the Genesis of the U.S.-Saudi Relationship," 17 July 2019 Jones is known by many as the most visible fan of University of Kentucky college sports, who has created a media empire based on the school's rabid fan base. — Phillip M. Bailey, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky Sports Radio's Matt Jones yanked from TV show amid US Senate speculation," 16 July 2019 The book was first published in 2006, and coincided with a BBC documentary hosted by Johnson about the Roman empire. — Rob Picheta, CNN, "Boris Johnson faces more accusations of Islamophobia over newly-unearthed text," 16 July 2019 Barely a decade later their eponymous brand, Veronica Beard, grew into a fashion empire from that coveted jacket — a play on the classic blazer with an interchangeable dickey favored by Michelle Obama and Gwyneth Paltrow. — Catherine Bigelow, SFChronicle.com, "Recoding retail: Women bring digital savvy to art, pop-ups and fashion," 16 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'empire.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for empire

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

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