I know that a huge number of Americans recoil at the very idea that the US is an empire. However, the reality is that the word "empire" does not connote anything negative (or positive). If we are an empire, we are a very different form of empire, when compared to counterparts in the past.

On the other hand, the US has territory all over the place and it could be said to be a far-flung empire in the geographic sense. This includes territory under American sovereignty, but also foreign military bases and spheres of influence. The global reach of the USA today, is rivaled only by the Mongol and British Empires. That's a pretty strong argument for empire.

But, the US is nothing like the Mongol, British, Chinese, Japanese, or any other empire. Similarly, those empires were also nothing like the Roman, Persian, or Aztec Empires.

Is the United States an empire? The answer boils down to your interpretation and definition of the word "empire", as well as your take on geopolitics. There is no definite answer and it doesnt really matter because the word means different things at different times in history.