empire building

American  

noun

1. the plans, activities, achievements, etc., of an empire builder.

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Etymology

Origin of empire building

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

The ingots date back almost 2,000 years to AD87, based on lettering written on the objects, which refers to the Emperor Domitian, who was known for his empire building, including expansion in Britain.

From BBC

Carrie Canham from Ceredigion Museum in Aberystwyth said the artefacts were the first of their kind to be found in west Wales and "highlight Ceredigion's significance in Emperor Domitian Caesar Augustus's empire building".

From BBC

One reason the Monroe doctrine and empire building went out of fashion was that colonies and client states wanted out.

From The Wall Street Journal

We need to find a way of making referees invisible again because, at the moment, we have a system that has turned officiating into nothing less than empire building, meaning you often hear more people talking about VAR and refereeing decisions than you do about goals scored or conceded.

From BBC

Yes, there had always been daytime game shows, but after “American Idol” and “Survivor” became prime-time hits and the Kardashians began their empire building, the reality craze spread like kudzu through broadcast and cable.

From Los Angeles Times