1
: the wife or widow of an emperor
2
: a woman who is the sovereign or supreme monarch of an empire
Examples of empress in a Sentence
the Emperor and Empress of Japan
Catherine the Great was Empress of Russia.
Recent Examples on the Web
There is only one queen at a time and should two reign, they are considered mother-daughter empresses.
—
Liza B. Zimmerman, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
On this day in 1762: Catherine the Great began her reign as empress of Russia after seizing control from her husband, Peter III.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025
She's successfully become the first artist to wrap herself in the essence of the culture's spirit like an empress in new clothes.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Brands relying on a single, all-powerful figure risk obsolescence when cultural winds shift, as Vogue continues to experience under an empress who seemingly only takes advice from a mirror.
—Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for empress
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Liza B. Zimmerman, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
On this day in 1762: Catherine the Great began her reign as empress of Russia after seizing control from her husband, Peter III.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025
She's successfully become the first artist to wrap herself in the essence of the culture's spirit like an empress in new clothes.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Brands relying on a single, all-powerful figure risk obsolescence when cultural winds shift, as Vogue continues to experience under an empress who seemingly only takes advice from a mirror.
—Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for empress
Cite this Entry
“Empress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empress. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
empress
noun
em·press
ˈem-prəs 
1
: the wife or widow of an emperor
2
: a woman who is the ruler of an empire
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