n. 1 an extensive group of States or countries under a single supreme authority, esp. an emperor. 2 a supreme dominion. b (often foll. by over) archaic absolute control. 3 a large commercial organization etc. owned or directed by one person or group. 4 (the Empire) hist. a the British Empire. b the Holy Roman Empire. 5 a type or period of government in which the sovereign is called emperor. 6 (Empire) (attrib.) a denoting a style of furniture or dress fashionable during the first (1804-14) or second (1852-70) French Empire. b Brit. denoting produce from the Commonwealth. empire-builder a person who deliberately acquires extra territory, authority, etc. esp. unnecessarily. Empire Day hist. the former name of Commonwealth Day, orig. 24 May.
[ ME f. OF f. L imperium rel. to imperare: see EMPEROR ]