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
Azeem Khan, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Today, individual stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Bryson DeChambeau have set up their own mini-YouTube empires too.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Courtesy of Lucasfilm On an isolated farm at the outer reaches of a fascist empire, a mid-level government toady interrogates his victims.
—Jake Kleinman, Wired News, 23 Apr. 2025
The empire had conquered the Iberian Peninsula—now modern Spain and Portugal—between 218 B.C.E. and 19 C.E., fighting first to expel Carthaginians from the land, then various tribes.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
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Noun
One of the few exceptions was Junior Bridgeman, a former Milwaukee Buck who quietly built a fast food empire after retiring.
—Azeem Khan, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Today, individual stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Bryson DeChambeau have set up their own mini-YouTube empires too.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Courtesy of Lucasfilm On an isolated farm at the outer reaches of a fascist empire, a mid-level government toady interrogates his victims.
—Jake Kleinman, Wired News, 23 Apr. 2025
The empire had conquered the Iberian Peninsula—now modern Spain and Portugal—between 218 B.C.E. and 19 C.E., fighting first to expel Carthaginians from the land, then various tribes.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Apr. 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 1 May. 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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