imperialism: Meaning and Definition of
im•pe•ri•al•ism
Pronunciation: (im-pēr'ē-u-liz"um), [key]
— n.
- the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies.
- advocacy of imperial interests.
- an imperial system of government.
- imperial government.
- the policy of so uniting the separate parts of an empire with separate governments as to secure for certain purposes a single state.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.