empire
/ˈɛmpʌɪə
/noun
1An extensive group of states or countries ruled over by a single monarch, an oligarchy, or a sovereign state: [in names]: the Roman Empire...
- The second Kingdom of Kush conquered most of Egypt, and eventually ruled an empire stretching from the borders of Palestine to the Blue and White Niles.
- The European empires were dismembered by nationalist movements, with support from lawyers, journalists, unions, and the churches.
- Various remnants of the once vast colonial empires are still controlled by European states.
Synonyms
kingdom, realm, domain, territory, province;
commonwealth, federation, confederation;
power, world power, superpower;
jurisdiction;
Latin res publica
1.1 [mass noun] Supreme political power over several countries when exercised by a single authority: he encouraged the Greeks in their dream of empire in Asia Minor...
- The republic has been defined by its hypocrisy as much as by its virtue - just another great power justifying empire in the name of the greater improvement of all mankind.
- Power and empire may not be quite the same thing but the distinction between them is less apparent than policymakers in Washington affect to believe.
- For it is a mistake to suppose that institutions alone will save a republic from the abuses of power to which empire inevitably leads.
2An extensive sphere of activity controlled by one person or group: the kitchen had once been the school dinner ladies' empire...
- Local authorities have become vast empires of superfluous activity, overmanned at taxpayers' expense.
- The Kingpin is beginning to lose control of his criminal empire.
- The law school feels like an empire unto itself.
2.1A large commercial organization owned or controlled by one person or group: her business empire grew...
- More impressive still, he has built his empire with a tiny organization and very little of his own capital.
- Normally business empires grow over four or five generations.
- Her business empire suffered from employee dissatisfaction and manager buyouts, and indeed her entire business was almost totally lost to her on at least three occasions.
Synonyms
organization, corporation, multinational, conglomerate, consortium, company, business, firm, operation, institution, establishment, body
adjective (Empire) [attributive]
1Denoting a style of furniture, decoration, or dress fashionable chiefly during the First Empire in France. The decorative style was neoclassical but marked by an interest in Egyptian and other ancient motifs.It glories in its Louis XIV and Empire style, all marble, gilt and elaborate stucco.
2British dated Denoting produce from the Commonwealth.
Origin
Middle English: via Old French from Latin imperium, related to imperare 'to command' (see emperor).