What does imperial mean?
Imperial is chiefly an adjective meaning connected with an empire or emperor, and by extension with the power, ceremony, and grandeur traditionally associated with imperial rule. It can also describe something grand or imposing, as in imperial ambitions or an imperial residence, although this use may carry a critical suggestion of excessive power. In British usage, imperial can refer to the traditional system of measurement based on the pound and gallon, a system that preceded metrication. As a noun, an imperial was a gold coin associated with the Byzantine emperors. The word is useful because it links concrete political history with broader ideas of sovereignty, hierarchy, scale, and authority. Its Latin root, imperium, also connects it to emperor, imperator, and imperious.
Relating to an empire, an emperor, or imperial rule; characteristic of an empire or its ruler.
"The country resisted imperial control for many years."
Formal; often carries implications of sovereignty, hierarchy, or territorial expansion.
Grand or imposing in a manner suggestive of imperial power.
"The design of the stadium was deliberately monumental and imperial."
Can be critical when describing excessive ambition, authority, or grandeur.
Relating to the traditional British system of weights and measures.
"The recipe uses an old imperial measure of flour."
Chiefly used in historical and comparative contexts, especially in discussions of British measurement systems.
A gold coin issued by a Byzantine emperor.
"The museum displayed a rare imperial alongside other Byzantine coins."
A historical numismatic term, now uncommon outside specialist contexts.
The plural is used in historical numismatic contexts for multiple coins of this type.
"Collectors compared several imperials from different periods of the Byzantine Empire."
The word imperial carries two linked ideas: the authority of an empire and the imposing scale associated with imperial power.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does imperial come from?
The word comes through Old French from Latin imperialis, an adjective derived from imperium, meaning command, rule, or empire. The same Latin root produced emperor, imperator, and imperious, while the noun imperial was borrowed for historical coinage associated with Byzantine rulers. Its modern meanings expanded from political rule to the grandeur, authority, and measurement conventions associated with empires, especially the former British Empire.
Related word forms
How imperial is actually used
In political and historical contexts, the adjective is formal and may suggest power, hierarchy, and territorial expansion. In phrases such as imperial ambitions, it can suggest an exaggerated or overly ambitious claim to power. The measurement sense is chiefly associated with the traditional British system, while the noun is a historical numismatic term.
Easily confused with imperial
Imperial means relating to an empire or emperor, whereas imperious means arrogant, domineering, or demanding of obedience.