empress

[ em-pris ]

noun

1. a female ruler of an empire.
2. the consort of an emperor.

empress

/ ˈɛmprɪs /

noun

1. the wife or widow of an emperor
2. a woman who holds the rank of emperor in her own right
3. a woman of great power and influence

Gender Note

See -ess.

Word History and Origins

Origin of empress¹

1125–75; Middle English emperice, emperesse < Anglo-French; Old French emperesse, empereriz < Latin imperātrīcem, accusative of imperātrix, feminine of imperātor. See emperor, -trix

Word History and Origins

Origin of empress¹

C12: from Old French empereriz, from Latin imperātrix feminine of imperātor emperor

Example Sentences

The state visit to the UK by the emperor and empress of Japan will go ahead later this month, says Buckingham Palace.

From BBC

A few years later, the tutor to the empress’s rival Shoshi, Shikibu wrote the world’s first known novel, “The Tale of Genji,” about a talented and handsome nobleman hampered by his family’s unfortunate political position.

From Seattle Times

He’s also due to host a state visit by the emperor and empress of Japan in June.

From Los Angeles Times

When the future empress of Japan entered the country’s elite diplomatic corps in 1987, a year after a major equal employment law went into effect, she was one of only three female recruits.

From New York Times

It will be the first of several public appearances Charles will make in the coming weeks as he prepares to host a state visit by the emperor and empress of Japan in June.

From Seattle Times