ancien régime

[ ahn-syanrey-zheem ]

noun,plural an·ciens ré·gimes [ahn-syanrey-zheem]. /ɑ̃ syɛ̃ reɪˈʒim/. French.
  1. the political and social system of France before the revolution of 1789.

  2. the system of government during this period.

Origin of ancien régime

1
First recorded in 1790–95; from French; literally, “old rule”

Words Nearby ancien régime

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use ancien régime in a sentence

  • But “old money” is relative here, given that the Chinese-speaking world has no real ancien regime to speak of.

    Gatsby in Asia | Ross Perlin | June 29, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • We've forgotten the persistence of what many dismiss as America's ancien regime.

    Behind the Brooke Astor Affair | Michael Gross | November 17, 2008 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • She adroitly led the conversation to the times which had now, within a few short years, become the "ancien regime."

    The Chouans | Honore de Balzac
  • He was an enthusiast for the ancien regime, and was trying to re-enact literally the family life of the last Bourbons.

  • The shadowy ghost of the ancien regime seemed to have become more bowed during the conversation.

    A Set of Six | Joseph Conrad
  • There was, however, another side to the so-called "Ancien Regime" which we must keep in mind.

    The Story of Mankind | Hendrik van Loon
  • She is quite indifferent to coquetry, this grande dame of the ancien regime!

    Man and Maid | Elinor Glyn

British Dictionary definitions for ancien régime

ancien régime

/ French (ɑ̃sjɛ̃ reʒim) /


nounplural anciens régimes (ɑ̃sjɛ̃ reʒim)
  1. the political and social system of France before the Revolution of 1789

  2. a former or outdated regime

Origin of ancien régime

1
literally: old regime

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for ancien régime

ancien régime

[ (ahnn-syann ray-zheem) ]


The political and social order that prevailed in France before the French Revolution, built on a belief in absolute monarchy and the divine right of kings.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.