regency

[ ree-juhn-see ]

noun

, plural re·gen·cies.

1. the office, jurisdiction, or control of a regent or body of regents exercising the ruling power during the minority, absence, or disability of a sovereign.
2. a body of regents.
3. a government consisting of regents.
4. a territory under the control of a regent or regents.
5. the term of office of a regent.
6. (initial capital letter) British History. the period (1811–20) during which George, Prince of Wales, later George IV, was regent.
7. (initial capital letter) French History. the period of the minority of Louis XV.
8. the office or function of a regent or ruler.

adjective

1. of or relating to a regency.
2. History/Historical. of or relating to the Regencies in England or France.
3. (often initial capital letter) of or relating to the style of architecture, furnishings, and decoration of the British Regency, somewhat similar to the French Directoire and Empire styles and characterized by close imitation of ancient Greek forms as well as by less frequent and looser adaptations of ancient Roman, Gothic, Chinese, and ancient Egyptian forms.

Regency

¹

/ ˈriːdʒənsɪ /

noun

1. (in the United Kingdom) the period (1811–20) during which the Prince of Wales (later George IV) acted as regent during his father's periods of insanity
2. (in France) the period of the regency of Philip, Duke of Orleans, during the minority of Louis XV (1715–23)

adjective

1. characteristic of or relating to the Regency periods in France or the United Kingdom or to the styles of architecture, furniture, art, literature, etc, produced in them

regency

²

/ ˈriːdʒənsɪ /

noun

1. government by a regent or a body of regents
2. the office of a regent or body of regents
3. a territory under the jurisdiction of a regent or body of regents

Word History and Origins

Origin of regency¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word rēgentia. See regent, -ency

Word History and Origins

Origin of regency¹

C15: from Medieval Latin regentia , from Latin regere to rule

Example Sentences

In October 2023, the state fined Hyatt Regency Long Beach $4.8 million for failing to offer jobs in a timely manner to 25 employees, including restaurant servers, bartenders, housekeepers, cashiers and stewards.

From Los Angeles Times

The event in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday night invited fans to "step into the enchanting world of the Regency era" with "sophistication, grace, and historical charm".

From BBC

The event on Sunday was supposed to be a glamorous affair with ballroom dancing and music, similar to that enjoyed by the members of Regency high society in the hit series.

From BBC

Four hotel employees who allegedly pinned a man to the ground after he behaved erratically in a Hyatt Regency lobby in the US state of Wisconsin are facing murder charges.

From BBC

Westwood’s historic movie palaces, the Regency Village Theatre and the Bruin, are closing later this week.

From Los Angeles Times