[C] group of countries or states under a single ruler or ruling power 帝国: the Roman Empire 罗马帝国. 
[U] (fml 文) supreme political power 帝权; 绝对支配权: the responsibilities of empire 有绝对支配权的统治. 
[C] (fig 比喻) large commercial organization controlled by one person or group （由一人或一集团控制的）大企业组织: a publishing empire 大出版企业.# `empire-building n [U] (often derog 常作贬义) process of deliberately acquiring extra territory, authority, etc. 扩张领土﹑ 权力等.