Empire vs. Alliance — What's the Difference?

An empire is a sovereign state made up of several territories and peoples subject to a single ruling authority, often an emperor. A state can become an empire either by a narrow definition through having an emperor and being named as such, or by a broad definition as stated above as an aggregate territory under the rule of supreme authorities such as the Roman Empire.

An alliance is a relationship among people, groups, or states that have joined together for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out among them. Members of an alliance are called allies.

An extensive group of states or countries ruled over by a single monarch, an oligarchy, or a sovereign state

A close association of nations or other groups, formed to advance common interests or causes

A large commercial organization owned or controlled by one person or group

A formal agreement establishing such an association, especially an international treaty of friendship.

Denoting a style of furniture, decoration, or dress fashionable chiefly during the First Empire in France. The decorative style was neoclassical but marked by an interest in Egyptian and other ancient motifs.

A connection based on kinship, marriage, or common interest; a bond or tie

Denoting produce from the Commonwealth.

A long-term association of two or more animals of the same species, in which members cooperate for a purpose such as gaining access to mates or defending territory.

Of, relating to, or characteristic of a neoclassic style, as in clothing or the decorative arts, prevalent in France during the early 1800s.

Close similarity in nature or type; affinity

A variety of apple having dark red skin and white flesh.

The act of becoming allied or the condition of being allied

A political unit having an extensive territory or comprising a number of territories or nations and ruled by a single supreme authority.

(uncountable) The state of being allied.

The territory included in such a unit.

(countable) The act of allying or uniting.

An extensive enterprise under a unified authority:a publishing empire.

(countable) A union or connection of interests between families, states, parties, etc., especially between families by marriage and states by compact, treaty, or league.

Imperial or imperialistic sovereignty, domination, or control:the extension of empire to distant lands.

(countable) Any union resembling that of families or states; union by relationship in qualities; affinity.

A political unit, typically having an extensive territory or comprising a number of territories or nations (especially one comprising one or more kingdoms) and ruled by a single supreme authority.

(with the definite article) The persons or parties allied.

A political unit ruled by an emperor or empress.

(India) Marriage.

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.

(obsolete) To connect or unite by alliance; to ally.

An expansive and powerful enterprise under the control of one person or group.

The state of being allied; the act of allying or uniting; a union or connection of interests between families, states, parties, etc., especially between families by marriage and states by compact, treaty, or league; as, matrimonial alliances; an alliance between church and state; an alliance between France and England.

(Absolute) control, dominion, sway.

Any union resembling that of families or states; union by relationship in qualities; affinity.

Alternative case form of Empire.

The persons or parties allied.

Supreme power; sovereignty; sway; dominion.

To connect by alliance; to ally.

The dominion of an emperor; the territory or countries under the jurisdiction and dominion of an emperor (rarely of a king), usually of greater extent than a kingdom, always comprising a variety in the nationality of, or the forms of administration in, constituent and subordinate portions; as, the Austrian empire.

The state of being allied or confederated

Any dominion; supreme control; governing influence; rule; sway; as, the empire of mind or of reason.

A connection based on kinship or marriage or common interest;

The domain ruled by an emperor or empress

An organization of people (or countries) involved in a pact or treaty

A group of countries under a single authority;

A formal agreement establishing an association or alliance between nations or other groups to achieve a particular aim

A monarchy with an emperor as head of state

The act of forming an alliance or confederation

A group of diverse companies under common ownership and run as a single organization

An eating apple that somewhat resembles a McIntosh; used as both an eating and a cooking apple