First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1reign
noun \ˈrān\
: the period of time during which a king, queen, emperor, etc., is ruler of a country
: the period of time during which someone is in charge of a group or organization
: the period of time during which someone or something is the best or the most important, powerful, etc.
Full Definition of REIGN
1
a : royal authority : sovereignty <under the reign of the Stuart kings> b : the dominion, sway, or influence of one resembling a monarch <the reign of the Puritan ministers>
2
: the time during which one (as a sovereign) reigns
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Origin of REIGN
Middle English regne, from Anglo-French, from Latin regnum, from reg-, rex king — more at royal
Related to REIGN
- Synonyms
- ascendance (also ascendence), ascendancy (also ascendency), dominance, domination, dominion, hegemony, imperium, predominance, predominancy, preeminence, supremacy, sovereignty (also sovranty)
- Antonyms
- impotence, impotency, powerlessness
Other Government and Politics Terms
Rhymes with REIGN
ain, Aisne, ane, Bain, bane, blain, brain, cane, chain, crane, deign, drain, fain, fane, feign, gain, grain, Kane, lane, Lane, main, mane, pain, Paine, pane, plain, plane, quean, rain, rein, sain, sane, seine, Seine, skein, Spain, sprain, stain, strain, swain, thane, thegn, train, twain, Twain, vain, vane, vein, wain, wane, Wayne
2reign
verb
: to rule as a king, queen, emperor, etc.
: to be the best or the most powerful or important person or thing
—used to say that a quality exists to such a degree in a place or situation that it affects everything about that place or situation
Full Definition of REIGN
intransitive verb
1
a : to possess or exercise sovereign power : rule b : to hold office as chief of state although possessing little governing power <in England the sovereign reigns but does not rule>
2
: to exercise authority in the manner of a monarch
3
: to be predominant or prevalent <chaos reigned in the classroom>
See reign defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of REIGN
14th century
Other Government and Politics Terms
REIGNING Defined for Kids
1reign
noun \ˈrān\
Definition of REIGN for Kids
1
: the authority or rule of a monarch
2
: the time during which a monarch rules
2reign
verb
reignedreign·ing
Definition of REIGN for Kids
1
: to rule as a monarch
2
: to be usual or widespread <Enthusiasm reigned in the classroom.>
3
: to be the best or most powerful <the reigning champions>
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