empire
Empire (noun) means a large political unit made up of many territories or peoples, usually ruled over by a single powerful authority. Example: “The Roman Empire stretched across three continents at its height.”
How to Use Empire
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large group of territories under one ruler, or, more loosely, a huge and powerful business or organization.
Word Forms
empires plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The Roman _____ stretched across three continents at its height.
Etymology
From Old French empire, from Latin imperium, "command, dominion," from imperare, "to command."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for empire
See all rhymes for empire →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “empire” mean?
The word “empire” means a large political unit made up of many territories or peoples, usually ruled over by a single powerful authority. In plain terms, a large group of territories under one ruler, or, more loosely, a huge and powerful business or organization.
How do you pronounce “empire”?
“Empire” is pronounced EHM-peye-uh (/ˈɛmˌpaɪ̯ɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “empire” in a sentence?
Here is “empire” used in a sentence: “The Roman Empire stretched across three continents at its height.”
What part of speech is “empire”?
“Empire” is a noun.
Where does the word “empire” come from?
The word “empire” comes from Latin. From Old French empire, from Latin imperium, "command, dominion," from imperare, "to command.".
Is “empire” a common word?
“Empire” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “empire” have?
“Empire” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large political unit made up of many territories or peoples, usually ruled over by a single powerful authority.
What is the difference between an empire and a kingdom?
An empire rules over many different peoples and territories, often gained by conquest, under one supreme authority such as an emperor. A kingdom is usually a single nation ruled by a king or queen. The key difference is scale and diversity: empires absorb multiple nations, while kingdoms typically govern just one.
What are some famous examples of empires?
Well-known empires include the Roman, British, Mongol, Ottoman, and Persian empires. Each controlled vast lands and many different peoples under a central power. The word is also used figuratively for huge organisations, as in a media empire or business empire, where one person or group dominates a whole industry.
Can 'empire' describe a business?
Yes. Figuratively, an empire is a large, powerful commercial organisation controlled by one person or group, such as a media empire or retail empire. The image is of vast reach and dominant control, echoing the political sense of ruling many parts from a single centre. It usually implies great wealth and influence.
What is the opposite of an empire?
There is no single opposite, but a small independent state or city-state contrasts sharply with an empire's scale. Politically, a self-governing republic or a loose federation can be seen as alternatives, since neither concentrates power over many different peoples under one imperial ruler. A colony is the ruled part of an empire.