First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
empire
noun em·pire \ˈem-ˌpī(-ə)r\
: a group of countries or regions that are controlled by one ruler or one goverment; especially : a group of countries ruled by an emperor or empress
: a very large business or group of businesses under the control of one person or company
Full Definition of EMPIRE
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
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
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Origin of EMPIRE
Middle English, from Anglo-French empire, empirie, from Latin imperium absolute authority, empire, from imperare to command — more at emperor
Related to EMPIRE
- Synonyms
- conglomerate
Other Government and Politics Terms
Rhymes with EMPIRE
Empire
adjective Em·pire \ˈäm-ˌpir, ˈem-ˌpī(-ə)r\
Definition of EMPIRE
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a style (as of clothing or furniture) popular in early 19th century France
Origin of EMPIRE
French, from (le premier) Empire the first Empire of France
First Known Use: 1860
Rhymes with EMPIRE
adhere, Aesir, Ajmer, all clear, ambeer, appear, arrear, Asir, Ayrshire, besmear, by ear, Cape Fear, career, cashier, cashmere, Cheshire, chimere, clavier, cohere, compeer, destrier, dog-ear, emir, endear, ensphere, eyrir, Fafnir, footgear, frontier, gambier, Goodyear, headgear, inhere, Izmir, Kashmir, kefir, killdeer, Landseer, leap year, life peer, light-year, man-year, menhir, midyear, mishear, monsieur, mouse-ear, mule deer, musk deer, nadir, near beer, New Year, off year, out-year, pickeer, portiere, premier, premiere, red deer, redear, rehear, reindeer, revere, revers, Robespierre, roe deer, root beer, santir, severe, Shakespeare, sincere, slick-ear, small beer, spruce beer, steer clear, Tangier, tapir, tin ear, uprear, Vanir, veneer, Vermeer, vizier, voir dire, wheatear, Wiltshire, wind shear, wood ear, worm gear, Ymir, Yorkshire, zaire, Zaire
EMPIRE Defined for Kids
empire
noun em·pire \ˈem-ˌpīr\
Definition of EMPIRE for Kids
1
: a group of territories or peoples under one ruler <the Roman empire>
2
: a country whose ruler is called an emperor
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