empire UK /ˈɛm.paɪ̯ə̯/US /ˈɛmˌpaɪ̯ɹ/noun 5Empire adjective 3forms 1 noun5 •a country that has grown much larger by using force to take the lands around itStates and empires fail when they are no longer the solution, they are the problem. — 2022 •A political unit ruled by an emperor or empress.The Empire of Vietnam was a short-lived client state of Japan governing Vietnam between March 11 and August 23, 1945. •An expansive and powerful enterprise under the control of one person or group.“Revenues for Jackson's non-profit empire sky-rocketed from $4 million in 1997, to more than $14 million just two years later.” — 2002 •The group of states or other territories that owe allegiance to an imperial power (foreign to them), when distinguished from the native territory of that power; imperial possessions.Since Britain imported mainly foodstuffs from its empire, no preferences could be granted to the colonies without Britain first imposing a tariff on foodstuffs imported from other countries. — 2021 •control, dominion, sway.Each master whim maintains its hour of empire, And obstinately faithful to its dictates — 1781 Empire adjective3 •Following or imitating a style popular during the First French Empire (1804–1814).However, the first style of this century was known as Empire furniture. It was a derivative of the French Empire furniture, popular at that time. — 1997 •Having the waistline just below the bust; featuring an empire waist....and for a moment he could not identify the lady in the Empire dress, nor imagine why her presence created such excitement among the initiated. — 1920 •(UK, old-fashioned) Produced in a dependency of the British Empire or Commonwealth of Nations. formsempires
