emperor
EHMP-ruh
Emperor (noun) means a male ruler of an empire, typically ranking above a king. Example: “The emperor expanded his territory through a series of conquests.”
noun
1
A male ruler of an empire, typically ranking above a king.
"The emperor expanded his territory through a series of conquests."
"In imperial China, it was often a responsibility of the emperor to evaluate his predecessor after the latter's death."
"The emperor sat on a golden throne while visitors bowed before him."
"According to the legend, the emperor ordered a great wall built along the border."
2
A ruler of an empire in general, regardless of gender.
"Historians still debate how much real power the last emperor actually held."
"The museum has a portrait of the empire's most famous emperor, a woman who ruled for decades."
"Whether emperor or empress, the ruler of the empire had to keep many provinces united."
How to use emperor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe ruler of an empire — a step above a king or queen in traditional hierarchies.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
crown an emperor
reign of the emperor
emperor penguin
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Word forms
- Plural
- emperors
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ expanded his territory through a series of conquests.
Etymology
From Latin imperator, "commander," ultimately from imperare, "to command."
Related words
Rhymes for emperor
See all rhymes for emperor →Frequently asked questions
What does “emperor” mean?
The word “emperor” means a male ruler of an empire, typically ranking above a king. In plain terms, the ruler of an empire — a step above a king or queen in traditional hierarchies.
How do you pronounce “emperor”?
“Emperor” is pronounced EHMP-ruh (/ˈɛmp(ə)ɹɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “emperor” in a sentence?
Here is “emperor” used in a sentence: “The emperor expanded his territory through a series of conquests.”
What part of speech is “emperor”?
“Emperor” is a noun.
Where does the word “emperor” come from?
The word “emperor” comes from Latin. From Latin imperator, "commander," ultimately from imperare, "to command.".
Is “emperor” a common word?
“Emperor” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “emperor” have?
“Emperor” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a male ruler of an empire, typically ranking above a king.
What is the difference between an emperor and a king?
An emperor is a male ruler of an empire and typically ranks above a king. An empire usually contains multiple territories or peoples, sometimes including several kingdoms, whereas a king rules a single kingdom. In short, an emperor generally holds higher status than a king.
What is the female equivalent of an emperor?
The female counterpart of an emperor is an empress. An empress may rule an empire in her own right or hold the title as the wife of an emperor. Note that "emperor" can also be used more generally for a ruler of an empire regardless of gender.
What is the difference between an emperor and an empire?
An emperor is the person who rules, while an empire is the collection of territories and peoples they rule over. The emperor is the title-holder; the empire is the domain.
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