empire

Pluralempires

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A group of countries ruled by one powerful ruler or government, often an emperor.

   Like a kingdom, but with an emperor in charge instead of a king.

   The emperor ruled a huge empire from his palace in the capital.

   When the old ruler died, the empire passed to his daughter.

   UsageUse a capital in names: the Roman Empire.

   Note
2. 2
   big businessnouncountable

   A very large and powerful business or organization run by one person or group.

   Like one tree growing many branches that spread out in every direction.

   She built a media empire from a single small newspaper.

   The family's business empire included hotels, airlines, and banks.

   UsageSay a media empire or a business empire.

   Similarconglomerate, business, enterprise

   Note
3. 3
   overseas coloniesnouncountable

   The lands that a ruling country controls far from home, not counting its own home country.

   At its peak, the empire spanned colonies on five continents far from the home islands.

   Britain lost much of its empire in the years after World War II.

   UsageSay a country lost its empire.

   Note
4. 4
   early 1800s styleadjective

   Alternative letter-case form of Empire, meaning in an early 1800s French style, especially a dress with a very high waist.

   She wore an empire gown with the high waistline of the period.

   The room was furnished in elegant empire style.

   UsageUsually before a noun: an empire waist, an empire dress.

   Note

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