reign
noun
the period during which a sovereign occupies the throne.
had reigned
-
past perfectof reign.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The noise of the crowd that gathered was a marked change from the silence that had reigned over Altadena since January’s firestorm.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2025
"Many of them had no memory... several would have rather gone on not knowing. But silence had reigned for too long."
From BBC ● Feb. 24, 2025
This was a moment of celebration for Charles and his supporters, a stark contrast to the day in September when the nation mourned the death of a queen who had reigned for 70 years.
From Seattle Times ● May 6, 2023
When Benedict resigned in 2013, he had reigned for almost eight years in a difficult time for the church, plagued by scandals, and became the first pope in 600 years to resign.
From New York Times ● Jan. 4, 2023
At Ninus Semiramis bore him a son, Ninyas, and at his death, when he had reigned 52 years, Ninus bequeathed to her the sovereign power.
From The History of Antiquity, Vol. II (of VI) by Max Duncker
