regent

American  

[ree-juhnt] / ˈri dʒənt /

noun

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

• regental adjective
• regentship noun
• subregent noun

Etymology

Origin of regent

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

Example Sentences

The University of California board of regents voted Wednesday to renew a “tuition stability” that will hike tuition by up to 5% for each new incoming class.

From Los Angeles Times

Not only did the University of California regents rebuff the stadium bid, they also decreed that no structure built on the Drake Stadium footprint could later be enlarged into a football stadium.

From Los Angeles Times

Confronting increasing costs and decreasing state and federal funding, the University of California regents on Wednesday approved a tuition hike lauded by UC leaders but fiercely opposed by students.

From Los Angeles Times

At a regents’ meeting that month when the group was presented with the information, board members indicated they were open to renewing the plan but wanted to see less drastic changes.

From Los Angeles Times

But Michigan regents, who are elected statewide and serve for eight years, say they and other Big Ten boards should be more involved in these sorts of major decisions.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• ruler