noun
empire
EM-pyre/ˈempaɪər/
A collection of territories under one ruling power.
The empire includes several territories governed from a single capital.
Etymology
The components “in” and “order, prepare” combined in a verb meaning “to command.” The related noun covered both sovereign authority and a realm, linking the exercise of power to the territories under it.
In context
Kublai came to control the Chinese territories in the eastern part of the Empire when his brother monka became the supreme leader of the empire
More examples
- The empire expands as its armies conquer neighboring lands.
- Many languages are spoken across the empire.
- Several empires once controlled parts of this region.
Forms
empire · empires
imperial adjective — Relating to an empire or emperor.
Similar words
- kingdom
- Ruled by a monarch, not necessarily spanning multiple territories.
- realm
- A ruler's domain, without implying multiple territories under one power.