regent
Americannoun
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a person who exercises the ruling power in a kingdom during the minority, absence, or disability of the sovereign.
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a ruler or governor.
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a member of the governing board of a state university or a state educational system.
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a university officer who exercises general supervision over the conduct and welfare of the students.
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(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.
adjective
noun
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the ruler or administrator of a country during the minority, absence, or incapacity of its monarch
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(formerly) a senior teacher or administrator in any of certain universities
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a member of the governing board of certain schools and colleges
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rare any person who governs or rules
adjective
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(usually postpositive) acting or functioning as a regent
a queen regent
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rare governing, ruling, or controlling
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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."
Vocabulary lists containing regent
Ancient Egypt - Introductory
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Mythology
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Ancient Egypt - Middle School and High School
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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.
Even at Regent University, where one would expect a robust audience of young Christians, video of the event shows mostly older attendees — and plenty of empty seats.
From Salon • May 17, 2026
The Regent Theater, Gold Diggers, the Teragram Ballroom and the United Theater on Broadway will be included in the program, Spotify said in its statement.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026
Norwegian Cruise Line is the parent of the luxury Regent Seven Seas brand.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 11, 2026
It has remained in its original home at Victory House on Regent Street since it opened, also continuing to serve food through the wartime Blitz.
From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026
The words were grudging, the dip of the chin Mace Tyrell gave the Lord Regent the most cursory of bows.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
