noun
Uncommon
empress
EHMP-ruhs
Empress (noun) means a female ruler of an empire. Example: “The empress ruled for over thirty years.”
noun
1
A female ruler of an empire.
"The empress ruled for over thirty years."
2
The wife of an emperor.
"Empress, imperial regent, and even emperor herself (r. 797–802), Irene was an important and powerful figure at the Byzantine court in the late eighth and early ninth century."
— Encyclopedia of Barbarian Europe: Society in Transformation (2008)
"The emperor and empress attended the ceremony together."
How to use empress
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA female ruler of an empire, or an emperor's wife.
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Word forms
- Plural
- empresses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ ruled for over thirty years.
Etymology
From Old French empereriz, from Latin imperatrix, the feminine form of "emperor."
Frequently asked questions
What does “empress” mean?
The word “empress” means a female ruler of an empire. In plain terms, a female ruler of an empire, or an emperor's wife.
How do you pronounce “empress”?
“Empress” is pronounced EHMP-ruhs (/ˈɛmpɹəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “empress” in a sentence?
Here is “empress” used in a sentence: “The empress ruled for over thirty years.”
What part of speech is “empress”?
“Empress” is a noun.
Where does the word “empress” come from?
The word “empress” comes from Latin. From Old French empereriz, from Latin imperatrix, the feminine form of "emperor.".
Is “empress” a common word?
“Empress” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “empress” have?
“Empress” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a female ruler of an empire.
