First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1imperial
adjective im·pe·ri·al \im-ˈpir-ē-əl\
: of or relating to an empire or an emperor
Full Definition of IMPERIAL
1
a : of, relating to, befitting, or suggestive of an empire or an emperor b (1) : of or relating to the United Kingdom as distinguished from the constituent parts (2) : of or relating to the Commonwealth of Nations and British Empire
3
: of superior or unusual size or excellence
4
: belonging to the official British series of weights and measures — see weight table
— im·pe·ri·al·ly \-ə-lē\ adverb
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Origin of IMPERIAL
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin imperialis, from Latin imperium command, empire
Related to IMPERIAL
Other Government and Politics Terms
2imperial
noun
Definition of IMPERIAL
1
capitalized : an adherent or soldier of the Holy Roman emperor
2
: emperor
3
[French impériale; from the beard worn by Napoléon III] : a pointed beard growing below the lower lip
4
: something of unusual size or excellence
First Known Use of IMPERIAL
circa 1524
IMPERIAL Defined for Kids
imperial
adjective im·pe·ri·al \im-ˈpir-ē-əl\
Definition of IMPERIAL for Kids
: of or relating to an empire or its ruler <the imperial palace>
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