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
Synonyms
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
Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 31 Jan. 2025
After Wall Street firm Salomon Brothers merged with commodities trading company Phibro in 1981, a 39 year-old Michael Bloomberg accepted a $10 million buyout of sorts and went on to create one of the world’s largest media empires.
—Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes, 30 Jan. 2025
Emmy nominee Kaitlyn Dever leads an ensemble cast including Alycia Debnam-Carey in this story of a wellness empire built on shifting sands.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025
Buoyed by that fortune, Smith turned his attention to creating a real estate empire in Oakland.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for empire 
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Noun
Despite her growing empire and larger-than-life public persona, Rae is quick to dispel one common misconception.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 31 Jan. 2025
After Wall Street firm Salomon Brothers merged with commodities trading company Phibro in 1981, a 39 year-old Michael Bloomberg accepted a $10 million buyout of sorts and went on to create one of the world’s largest media empires.
—Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes, 30 Jan. 2025
Emmy nominee Kaitlyn Dever leads an ensemble cast including Alycia Debnam-Carey in this story of a wellness empire built on shifting sands.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025
Buoyed by that fortune, Smith turned his attention to creating a real estate empire in Oakland.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for empire
Articles Related to empire
Dictionary Entries Near empire
Cite this Entry
“Empire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empire. Accessed 5 Feb. 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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