Definition of: imperialism

(im·pir′ē·əl·iz′əm) noun
1. A policy that aims at creating, maintaining, or extending an empire or superstate, comprising many nations and areas, all controlled by a central government.
2. A governmental policy of developing foreign trade and exploiting the raw materials of backward countries through the use of political and military pressures, without necessarily assuming direct political control of the nations affected.
3. A system of imperial government.
4. Imperial character, authority, or spirit.