1. (

• empire ,
• imperium

) the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised ;

2. (

• empire ,

) a group of countries under a single authority; "the British created a great empire" ;

3. (

• empire

) a monarchy with an emperor as head of state ;

4. (

• conglomerate ,
• empire ,

) a group of diverse companies under common ownership and run as a single organization ;

5. (

• Empire

) an eating apple that somewhat resembles a McIntosh; used as both an eating and a cooking apple ;