regent

American  

[ree-juhnt] / ˈri dʒənt /

noun

• regents
  plural

1. a person who exercises the ruling power in a kingdom during the minority, absence, or disability of the sovereign.

2. a ruler or governor.

3. a member of the governing board of a state university or a state educational system.

4. a university officer who exercises general supervision over the conduct and welfare of the students.

5. (in certain Catholic universities) a member of the religious order who is associated in the administration of a school or college with a layperson who is its dean or director.

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adjective

1. acting as regent of a country; exercising ruling authority on behalf of a sovereign during their minority, absence, or disability (usually used postpositively).

   a prince regent.

regent British  

/ ˈriːdʒənt /

noun

1. the ruler or administrator of a country during the minority, absence, or incapacity of its monarch

2. (formerly) a senior teacher or administrator in any of certain universities

3. a member of the governing board of certain schools and colleges

4. rare any person who governs or rules

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adjective

1. (usually postpositive) acting or functioning as a regent

   a queen regent

2. rare governing, ruling, or controlling

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• regentship
  noun
• subregent
  noun
• regental
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• regents
  plural

Etymology

Origin of regent

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin regent- (stem of regēns ), present participle of regere “to rule”

Explanation

In a monarchy, if the king gets too sick to rule his country, a regent steps in to run things temporarily. When kings or queens aren't able to do their jobs — because they're ill, or often because they are children — trusted advisers called regents fill in. You can think of a regent as a substitute monarch. There's also a more permanent kind of regent who helps to run a business or university and can also be called a trustee or board member. In Latin, regent means "ruling," from the verb regere, "to rule."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

regent regents

Crown Prince Haakon, 53, the successor to the Norwegian throne, has been serving as regent while his father is on leave.

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026

His son, Crown Prince Haakon, 53, has been serving as regent while his father is on leave.

From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026

A similar UC measure to add another student regent failed five years ago.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2026

The sole student regent position was approved by voters in 1974.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2026

With all due respect to the young woman’s family, I would be dishonest if I said that the girl the regent had selected for me was my dream bride.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Her possible bill’s reach is unclear because UC is constitutionally autonomous and admissions decisions rest with the regents.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026

University of California math and science professors have urged UC regents to reinstate entrance exams because so many freshmen were unprepared.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

Any change would require a vote by the regents, who have final say over both the tests and the courses.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

The regents will discuss — but not vote on — the 15 high school classes required for UC admission, known as A-G, in a public session Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

In the meantime, Sproul was able to push the regents to commit themselves as a board to more funding from university resources.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Related Words

• ruler