# empress

/ˈɛmpɹɛs/ (US) · /ˈɛmpɹɛs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/empress
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. female ruler

noun · CEFR B2

a woman who is the supreme ruler of an empire.

For teachers: a female monarch who holds sovereign power over an empire.

- The empress ruled the vast territory for over forty years with great wisdom.
- Historical accounts suggest the empress exercised significant political influence, often overriding the advice of her senior ministers to implement social reforms.

### 2. wife of an emperor

noun · CEFR B2

the wife or widow of an emperor.

For teachers: the female consort or widow of an emperor.

- The emperor and empress attended the ceremony together in their finest robes.
- As the empress consort, she held no direct legislative power but maintained a highly influential court that shaped the cultural life of the capital.

### 3. tarot card

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a specific card in a tarot deck that usually represents motherhood or nature.

For teachers: the third trump or major arcana card in most tarot decks, typically symbolising fertility and abundance.

- She smiled when she saw the Empress card appear in her reading.
- In many esoteric traditions, the Empress is depicted sitting on a throne adorned with twelve stars, representing her connection to the natural world.

## Examples

- The empress ruled the land for forty years.
- Historians often debate the political influence the empress exerted over her husband's court during the war.
- The coronation of the empress marked a significant shift in the dynasty's power structure, as she was the first woman to hold the throne in her own right.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.