/im pear"ee euhm/ , n. , pl. imperia /-pear"ee euh/ , imperiums .
1. command; supreme power.
2. area of dominion; sphere of control or monopoly; empire.
3. a nation having or exerting supreme power; superpower.
4. Law. the right to command the force of the state in order to enforce the law.
[ 1645-55; imper ( are ) to rule (see IMPERATIVE) + -ium -IUM ]