empire
gb/ˈɛmpaɪɚ/ us/ˈɛmpaɪɚ/
B1
English
~ 2600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Large territory under one rule
A very large area made up of different countries or lands, all controlled by one leader or government.
Usage pattern:
an empire of [countries/territories/lands]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'empire' with 'company' when talking about large businesses; in business contexts, 'empire' is often metaphorical.
Synonyms
realm (Often more general and can refer to any kingdom or domain, not necessarily as large as an empire.)
|
kingdom (Usually smaller and ruled by a king or queen, not necessarily multiple nations.)
Antonyms
colony (A territory controlled by another country, but not itself the ruling power.)
Collocations
Roman Empire
|British Empire
|ancient empire
|build an empire
|fall of an empire
Themes
history
|politics
|geography
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The Roman Empire stretched across much of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
- The British Empire once governed territories on every continent.
- Historians study how empires rise and fall over time.
- The emperor expanded his empire through military conquest.
- Trade routes were essential to the wealth of the empire.
Learner examples
- The Roman Empire was very big.
- An empire can have many countries.
- The king wanted to make his land into an empire.
- The empire fell after many years.
- They built an empire with strong armies.
Noun
B2
entity
2
Large business under one control
A very big company, or many companies, owned and run by one person or group.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s business empire
Synonyms
conglomerate (A more technical term for a large corporation made up of different companies.)
Antonyms
small business (Refers to a limited-size company with less influence and scope.)
Collocations
media empire
|business empire
|build an empire
|corporate empire
Themes
business
|economy
|finance
|work
Examples
- She built a fashion empire from a small clothing shop.
- His media empire includes television channels, newspapers, and online platforms.
- The tech giant expanded its empire into the gaming industry.
Learner examples
- She has a big food empire.
- He started with one shop and made an empire.
- The man owns a media empire.
- They want to grow their company into an empire.
Noun
C1
entity
3
Napoleonic-era style
A kind of design from the time of Napoleon in France, with big and classical shapes.
Usage pattern:
[empire] style [furniture/building]
Synonyms
neoclassical style ('Empire' is a specific French variation within neoclassical design.)
Collocations
Empire style furniture
|Empire architecture
|Empire dress
Themes
art
|history
|design
|arts_entertainment
|education
Examples
- The museum has a collection of Empire style furniture from early 19th-century France.
- Her gown was inspired by the Empire silhouette popular in Napoleon’s time.
- Empire architecture often features columns and grand proportions.
Learner examples
- The chair is in the Empire style.
- She wore an Empire dress to the party.
- Empire buildings have big columns.
Grammar
Dictionary form
empire
IPA
GB/ˈɛmpaɪɚ/
US/ˈɛmpaɪɚ/
Syllables & stress
em - pire (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (em)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: empire
- Plural: empires
Word family
Forms
empires
noun
Related words
Expressions
build an empire
1/bˈɪld ən ˈɛmpaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
Create and grow a large domain
To make and grow something big, like a country or business, that you control.
Examples
- "He built an empire starting from just one small shop."
- "They hope to build an empire in the tech industry."
the fall of an empire
1/ðə fˈɔl əv ən ˈɛmpaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
the fall of an empire
the collapse or end of a large political or organizational domain
the fall of an empire
2/ðə fˈɔl əv ən ˈɛmpaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
the fall of an empire
the fall of an empire