BRITISH EMPIRE Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

British Empire

noun

a former collective term for the territories under the leadership or control of the British crown, including those in the Commonwealth of Nations and their colonies, protectorates, dependencies, and trusteeships.

British Empire

noun

(formerly) the United Kingdom and the territories under its control, which reached its greatest extent at the end of World War I when it embraced over a quarter of the world's population and more than a quarter of the world's land surface

British Empire

The empire of Britain , which began in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries with the establishment of colonies in North America and ended in the twentieth century as dozens of nations, formerly British possessions, became independent. At the empire's greatest extent, around 1900, it included Australia , Canada , India , New Zealand , vast portions of Africa , and many smaller territories throughout the world. The empire ceased to have an “emperor” in the late 1940s, when the British king renounced the title of emperor of India. The empire has been succeeded by the British Commonwealth, which was formed in 1931.

Discover More

51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of British Empire¹

First recorded in 1595–1605

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The Royal Mail's Special Stamp programme commemorates anniversaries and aspects of UK history and culture, with the first commemorative stamp issued in 1924 to mark the opening of the British Empire Exhibition.

From

It is important not to forget the "atrocities the British Empire was involved in," a playwright has said as her debut hit play heads to London.

From

The Commonwealth Games was first staged in 1930, when it was known as the British Empire Games.

From

They were later awarded British Empire Medals for their bravery.

From

Ms Johnston was named in the New Year Honours list and was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to nursing.

From

Browse