imperialism

[ im-peer-ee-uh-liz-uhm ]

noun

1. the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies.
2. advocacy of imperial or sovereign interests over the interests of the dependent states.
3. imperial government; rule by an emperor or empress.
4. an imperial system of government.
5. British. the policy of so uniting the separate parts of an empire with separate governments as to secure for certain purposes a single state.

imperialism

/ ɪmˈpɪərɪəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the policy or practice of extending a state's rule over other territories
2. an instance or policy of aggressive behaviour by one state against another
3. the extension or attempted extension of authority, influence, power, etc, by any person, country, institution, etc

   cultural imperialism

4. a system of imperial government or rule by an emperor
5. the spirit, character, authority, etc, of an empire
6. advocacy of or support for any form of imperialism

imperialism

1. 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.

Derived Forms

• imˈperialist, adjectivenoun
• imˌperialˈistic, adjective
• imˌperialˈistically, adverb

Other Words From

• 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of imperialism¹

First recorded in 1855–60; imperial ¹ + -ism

Example Sentences

All of this, even before the twin forces of industrialization and imperialism got to work.

From Washington Post

The memoir is also a portrait of the devastating effects of imperialism and racism on a person’s identity, self-worth and relationships—and offers a perspective on how a person can combat these legacies.

From Washington Post

China is king on this continent, and while some citizens may grumble about a new imperialism, governments are eager for Beijing’s loans.

From Ozy

America stood alone, untainted by imperialism, a beacon of hope to many who looked for a counterweight to colonialists rampaging across the globe.

From Washington Post

Citizens in other Western countries have also recognized the common origins of transatlantic slavery and imperialism and have expressed a desire to address that history.

From Washington Post

Like imperialism, the foundation of humanitarianism is that the West knows best.

From The Daily Beast

Stringer depicts a country that is beset by complications of both past imperialism and current globalism.

From The Daily Beast

Ottoman imperialism is now religiously overlooked for inclusion in postcolonial studies at Western universities.

From The Daily Beast

Because for the global left, imperialism is the great sin of the modern world.

From The Daily Beast

What Erik Loomis is proposing is left-wing economic imperialism.

From The Daily Beast

The gradual recognition of the constitutional theory of the British empire, and the assumption by the principal Imperialism.

From Project Gutenberg

Already we had given Imperialism a criticism, and leavened half the press from our columns.

From Project Gutenberg

There is another side to imperialism besides dreaded anarchies.

From Project Gutenberg

Marx with his book is driving the states out of the trench of imperialism and capitalism.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a withering satire on Russian imperialism, and it stirred a wide response.

From Project Gutenberg