EMPIRE

[noun] [C] - a group of countries ruled by a single person, government or countrythe Holy Roman Empire(figurative) In the space of just ten years her company has grown from one small shop to a multi-million-pound empire (= big business).(figurative) He established his reputation as an empire-builder when he purchased several overseas companies last year.(figurative) Her empire-building came to an abrupt end when her bankers refused to lend her any more money.See also imperial (EMPIRE).