imperialism
imperial government; rule by an emperor or empress.
an imperial system of government.
British. the policy of so uniting the separate parts of an empire with separate governments as to secure for certain purposes a single state.
Origin of imperialism
1Other words from imperialism
- im·pe·ri·al·ist, noun, adjective
- im·pe·ri·al·is·tic, adjective
- im·pe·ri·al·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb
- non·im·pe·ri·al·is·tic, adjective
- non·im·pe·ri·al·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb
- un·im·pe·ri·al·is·tic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for imperialism
/ (ɪmˈpɪərɪəˌlɪzəm) /
the policy or practice of extending a state's rule over other territories
an instance or policy of aggressive behaviour by one state against another
the extension or attempted extension of authority, influence, power, etc, by any person, country, institution, etc: cultural imperialism
a system of imperial government or rule by an emperor
the spirit, character, authority, etc, of an empire
advocacy of or support for any form of imperialism
Derived forms of imperialism
- imperialist, adjective, noun
- imperialistic, adjective
- imperialistically, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for imperialism
Acquisition by a government of other governments or territories, or of economic or cultural power over other nations or territories, often by force. Colonialism is a form of imperialism.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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