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

• imˌperialˈistic, adjective
• imˈperialist, adjectivenoun
• 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

When I was thinking about this image, I was thinking about Palestine and just the interconnected web of imperialism to oppression and genocide.

From Los Angeles Times

In the past, we've seen the crusades and pogroms and imperialism and colonialism and racism in Christian history.

From Salon

As Prof Munene puts it, China's aim is to show African leaders that "we are in the same boat, we are all victims of Western imperialism".

From BBC

As government agencies and private companies turn their eyes toward the stars, I’ve noticed many of the factors that drove European Christian imperialism between the 15th and 19th centuries reappearing in high-speed, high-tech forms.

From Salon

“Where I’m from in South Dakota, London is so unbelievably foreign, and to lots of children around the world, London is imperialism and the cause of the genocide of their people,” FastHorse said.

From Los Angeles Times