em·pire
ˈem-ˌpī(-ə)r 
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
Em·pire
ˈäm-ˌpir
ˈem-ˌpī(-ə)r
ˈem-ˌpī(-ə)r
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a style (as of clothing or furniture) popular in early 19th century France
Examples of empire in a Sentence
Noun
She built a tiny business into a worldwide empire.
He controlled a cattle empire in the heart of Texas.
Recent Examples on the Web
Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
After more than two decades of working in the food space—reviving her family’s snack empire, and building her own chip brand from scratch—Dawes was ready to move on from starch.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
In 2018, Helen Mirren portrayed the troubled Sarah Winchester, a real-life heir to a gun-making empire, who helmed one of the most bizarre home renovations in history.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Her fans have called on the star to do a nostalgic King Kylie era that brought colorful hair, statement lips and the start of her beauty empire.
—Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for empire
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Noun
Sacrament takes on the next crisis to strike the inland empire, COVID-19.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
After more than two decades of working in the food space—reviving her family’s snack empire, and building her own chip brand from scratch—Dawes was ready to move on from starch.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
In 2018, Helen Mirren portrayed the troubled Sarah Winchester, a real-life heir to a gun-making empire, who helmed one of the most bizarre home renovations in history.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Her fans have called on the star to do a nostalgic King Kylie era that brought colorful hair, statement lips and the start of her beauty empire.
—Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for empire
Cite this Entry
“Empire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empire. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
empire
noun
em·pire
ˈem-ˌpī(ə)r
1
a
: a major political unit with a large territory or a number of territories or peoples under one ruler with total authority
especially
: one having an emperor as chief of state
b
: the territory of such a unit
c
: something resembling an empire
especially
: a large group of businesses under one control
2
: the state of being under or of having complete rule or control
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