Empire meaning : (furniture) Following or imitating a style popular during the First French Empire (1804–1814). (of wine) Produced in a dependency of the British Empire or Commonwealth of Nations. A political unit, typically having an extensive territory or comprising a number of territories or nations (especially one comprising one or more kingdoms) and ruled by a single supreme authority. A political unit ruled by an emperor or empress. A group of states or other territories that owe allegiance to a foreign power. An expansive and powerful enterprise under the control of one person or group. (Absolute) control, dominion, sway.