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
Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Such a devastating turn by the advocate who was instrumental in building Reigns' dominant empire, tearing it down to crown Punk, would fundamentally shake the power structure of WWE to its very core.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025
But their fishing empire has started to crumble as patriarch Harlan Buckley (McCallany) recovers from two heart attacks, and his wife Belle (Bello) and son Cane (Weary) venture into the deep end to keep the family businesses afloat.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
Harlan's wife, Belle (Maria Bello of Beef and Coyote Ugly), and son, Cane (Jake Weary of It Follows and Animal Kingdom), attempt to keep the empire afloat but end up causing more problems, forcing Harlan to retake control.
—EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for empire
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Noun
Of all the rich people in Donald Trump’s cabinet, no one seems to have more on the line in the trade war than Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, who built up a three-pillared empire over more than 40 years on Wall Street.
—Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Such a devastating turn by the advocate who was instrumental in building Reigns' dominant empire, tearing it down to crown Punk, would fundamentally shake the power structure of WWE to its very core.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025
But their fishing empire has started to crumble as patriarch Harlan Buckley (McCallany) recovers from two heart attacks, and his wife Belle (Bello) and son Cane (Weary) venture into the deep end to keep the family businesses afloat.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
Harlan's wife, Belle (Maria Bello of Beef and Coyote Ugly), and son, Cane (Jake Weary of It Follows and Animal Kingdom), attempt to keep the empire afloat but end up causing more problems, forcing Harlan to retake control.
—EW.com, 9 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 19 Apr. 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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