reign

[ reyn ]

noun

1. the period during which a sovereign occupies the throne.
2. royal rule or authority; sovereignty.

   Synonyms: suzerainty, dominion

3. dominating power or influence:

   the reign of law.

verb (used without object)

1. to possess or exercise sovereign power or authority.

   Synonyms: prevail, govern, rule

   Antonyms: obey

2. to hold the position and name of sovereign without exercising the ruling power.
3. to have control, rule, or influence of any kind.
4. to predominate; be prevalent.

reign

/ reɪn /

noun

1. the period during which a monarch is the official ruler of a country
2. a period during which a person or thing is dominant, influential, or powerful

   the reign of violence is over

verb

1. to exercise the power and authority of a sovereign
2. to be accorded the rank and title of a sovereign without having ruling authority, as in a constitutional monarchy
3. to predominate; prevail

   a land where darkness reigns

4. usually present participle to be the most recent winner of a competition, contest, etc

   the reigning heavyweight champion

Usage

Reign is sometimes wrongly written for rein in certain phrases: he gave full rein (not reign ) to his feelings; it will be necessary to rein in (not reign in ) public spending

Other Words From

• inter·reign verb (used without object)
• non·reigning adjective
• outreign verb (used with object)
• un·reigning adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reign¹

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English noun reine, regne, from Old French reigne, from Latin regnum “realm, reign,” derivative of reg- (stem of rēx ) “king”; Middle English verb reinen, regnen, from Old French reignier, from Latin regnāre, derivative of regnum

Word History and Origins

Origin of reign¹

C13: from Old French reigne , from Latin rēgnum kingdom, from rēx king

Example Sentences

Man City may still be second in the Premier League but they are going through a slump in form that hasn't been since Guardiola took the reigns.

From BBC

So with Wales now without a fixture until March, Bellamy will have more time on his hands, having started his reign with two fixtures every month so far.

From BBC

The best example may be the reign of Trofim Lysenko, who gained power over the entire scientific establishment of Soviet Russia beginning with Stalin’s regime and continuing under Nikita Khrushchev.

From Los Angeles Times

Miller, who joined the No. 1 overall-selecting Dallas Wings as their general manager and executive vice president of basketball operations, gets free reign on his first draft in the Lone Star State.

From Los Angeles Times

Kane has been a central figure to Carsley's reign in charge, not least with his public and uncharacteristically outspoken slap-down of those England players who withdrew from the squad for these two internationals.

From BBC

Related Words

• dynasty
• regime
• tenure