Definition of empires:
(n) :
A political state, often a monarchy, that has achieved a much greater current size than its initial size by conquering surrounding territories, cities or nations.
(n) :
A political unit ruled by an emperor or empress.
(n) :
The group of states or other territories that owe allegiance to an imperial power (foreign to them), when distinguished from the native territory of that power; imperial possessions.
(n) :
An expansive and powerful enterprise under the control of one person or group.
(n) :
(Absolute) control, dominion, sway.
(n) :
A number of places in the United States: