regency

[ ree-juhn-see ]

/ ˈri dʒən si /

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See synonyms for regency on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural re·gen·cies.

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.

a body of regents.

a government consisting of regents.

a territory under the control of a regent or regents.

the term of office of a regent.

(initial capital letter)British History. the period (1811–20) during which George, Prince of Wales, later George IV, was regent.

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

the office or function of a regent or ruler.

adjective

of or relating to a regency.

History/Historical. of or relating to the Regencies in England or France.

(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.

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Origin of regency

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

Words nearby regency

regatta, regd., regelate, regelation, Régence, regency, regeneracy, regenerate, regeneration, regenerative, regenerative braking

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use regency in a sentence

In 1999, El Elegante threw a fashion benefit for more than 600 guests on the beach at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Acapulco.
Trading Dime Bags for Salvador Dali|Jason McGahan|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Earlier this week, Regency Centers, a shopping center developer, sold $250 million in so-called green bonds.
The Bond Market Goes Green|The Daily Beast|May 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It began, for them all, with the urge to seek some form of liberty and escape the stultifying conventions of Regency England.
The Man Who Invented Vampires and the Creepiest Literary Gathering Ever|Emma Garman|November 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Scher set up a face-to-face meeting with John Edwards on September 18 at the Regency Hotel in New York City.
The Man Who Confronted Edwards About His Dangerous Infidelity Game|Diane Dimond|May 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Over drinks at the Regency that afternoon it was mutually decided that Miss Hunter would no longer travel with the candidate.
The Man Who Confronted Edwards About His Dangerous Infidelity Game|Diane Dimond|May 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And in case of the prince's death, the regency to remain in the hands of the Princess Maria Leopoldina.
Journal of a Voyage to Brazil|Maria Graham
I, as the king's mother and a member of the council of the regency,—I protest against what appears to me a crime of lese-majeste.
Catherine de' Medici|Honore de Balzac
It will be recollected that in the last chapter the appointment of a council of regency at Lahore was recorded.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
In Ireland the parliament met in 1789 when the regency question was still before the English parliament.
The Political History of England - Vol. X.|William Hunt
The prince promised to accept the regency, and stated his objections to the restrictions.
The Political History of England - Vol. X.|William Hunt

British Dictionary definitions for regency (1 of 2)

regency

/ (ˈriːdʒənsɪ) /

noun plural -cies

government by a regent or a body of regents

the office of a regent or body of regents

a territory under the jurisdiction of a regent or body of regents

Word Origin for regency

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

British Dictionary definitions for regency (2 of 2)

Regency

/ (ˈriːdʒənsɪ) /

noun the Regency

(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

(in France) the period of the regency of Philip, Duke of Orleans, during the minority of Louis XV (1715–23)

adjective

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

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

regency

Origin of regency

Words nearby regency

Words related to regency

How to use regency in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for regency (1 of 2)

Word Origin for regency

British Dictionary definitions for regency (2 of 2)