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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Empire Definition, Usage & Common Phrases (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：large, powerful country (empire)

empire 🔊

/ˈempaɪə(r)/

a very large and powerful country ruled by one person or government, especially in the past.

Empire definition illustrated by a crown on a historical map, symbolizing rule over vast territories.

large, powerful country 🔊

➕

/lɑːrdʒ ˈpaʊəf(ə)l ˈkʌntri/

A vast political unit, often comprising many territories and peoples, that is ruled by a single supreme authority, such as an emperor or an imperial government, frequently through historical conquest.

📁 Category：Countries & Government 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'imperium', meaning command, supreme power, or dominion.

💡 Mnemonic

An Empire is a realm of 'im-Perium' (power) and 'inspire's awe with its vast size and control.

📖 Example

In ancient times, the Roman Empire controlled lands all around the Mediterranean Sea. 🔊 Centuries ago, the domains of the Roman Empire spanned the entire Mediterranean region.

🔗 Collocations

build an empire – to establish a vast domain through conquest or expansion

empire falls – refers to the decline and collapse of a great power

ancient empire – a major historical realm from antiquity

🔄 Synonyms

realm (n.) – A kingdom or domain ruled by a sovereign.

kingdom (n.) – A country or state ruled by a king or queen; often smaller in scale than an empire.

domain (n.) – An area of territory owned or controlled by a ruler or government.

🚫 Antonyms

republic (n.) – A state where supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, not a monarch.

democracy (n.) – A system of government by the whole population, typically through elected representatives.

🌱 Derivatives

imperial (adj.) – Relating to an empire or an emperor/empress.

emperor (n.) – The male ruler of an empire.

empress (n.) – The female ruler of an empire, or the wife of an emperor.

📖 Cultural Story

Originally referring to the dominion of a Roman emperor, the concept evolved through history (e.g., British Empire) to signify vast, centralized power structures. It now also metaphorically describes immense corporate or cultural influence.

Meaning 2：vast business organization (empire)

empire 🔊

/ˈempaɪə(r)/

a very large and successful company that controls many smaller companies in different areas.

Modern business empire concept showing a global corporate network on a digital world map.

vast business organization 🔊

➕

/vɑːst ˈbɪznəs ˌɔːɡənaɪˈzeɪʃn/

A large and influential commercial enterprise or conglomerate that dominates a particular industry or market through the control of numerous subsidiary companies.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

She started with a single coffee shop and, over twenty years, built a global coffee empire. 🔊 Beginning with just one cafe, she spent two decades constructing a worldwide coffee business powerhouse.

🔗 Collocations

business empire – a large and powerful group of companies owned or controlled by one person or organization

corporate empire – an extensive conglomerate of businesses under a single corporate umbrella

retail empire – a vast network of stores and retail brands

🔄 Synonyms

conglomerate (n.) – A large corporation formed by the merging of separate and diverse firms.

corporation (n.) – A large company or group of companies authorized to act as a single entity.

multinational (n.) – A company operating in several countries.

🚫 Antonyms

small business (n.) – A privately owned corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship with relatively small revenue and employees.

startup (n.) – A newly established business, typically small and in the early stages of operation.

🌱 Derivatives

empire-builder (n.) – A person aggressively seeking to expand their sphere of power or influence, especially in business or bureaucracy.