regency

American  

[ree-juhn-see] / ˈri dʒən si /

noun

plural

regencies

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) the period (1811–20) during which George, Prince of Wales, later George IV, was regent.

7. (initial capital letter) the period of the minority of Louis XV.

8. the office or function of a regent or ruler.

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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 British  

/ 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)

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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 British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of regency

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

Example Sentences

"You get to spend so much time together on this glamorous British regency show where you're not meant to be there, and we are, and that is such a beautiful thing."

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026

Margo Price said "Love to see it" while Kacey Musgraves workshopped a few puns around the regency of Crow.

From Salon • Feb. 15, 2025

There is no specific number of how many maleos are left in Mamuju regency or in West Sulawesi region.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 6, 2023

Mr. Surbakti said the existence of the cages was well known to provincial and regency police chiefs and anti-narcotics officials.

From New York Times • Jun. 18, 2023

Some thought the regency would be ended at once, others were dubious.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin