regent

[ ree-juhnt ]

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.

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

/ 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

adjective

1. usually postpositive acting or functioning as a regent

   a queen regent

2. rare.
   governing, ruling, or controlling

Derived Forms

• ˈregental, adjective
• ˈregentship, noun

Other Words From

• regent·al adjective
• regent·ship noun
• sub·regent noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of regent¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of regent¹

C14: from Latin regēns ruling, from regere to rule

Example Sentences

The California State University regents put their own actual capital into the movement to guarantee a quick deal.

From Voice of San Diego

When he died in 1999 after 20 years of marriage, she remained a beloved regent and has been celebrated for her philanthropic work, including running a foundation under her late husband’s name.

From Ozy

Read more on OZYThe sixth pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty of Egypt was a woman, the first to claim the throne in her own right, not just as acting regent.

From Ozy

When the UC regents, the university’s governing board, approved the projects in 2015, the housing department planned to increase rent by under 5 percent each year through 2024-25 academic year.

From Voice of San Diego

A UC Davis student filed a similar class action lawsuit in May against the UC regents, alleging that the services students paid for in fees for in the spring 2020 quarter were never delivered.

From Voice of San Diego

Of course the Lady Regent of the Vale was standing placidly beside the open Moon Door, the wind rustling her robes.

From The Daily Beast

The Regent movie theater, Albee Square Mall, and [record store] Beat Street are all gone.

From The Daily Beast

During his gubernatorial run in 2009, McDonnell saw his graduate thesis from Regent University emerge—and receive some scrutiny.

From The Daily Beast

Among them Mica Mosbacher, who is now a regent at the University of Houston.

From The Daily Beast

“[Regent] taught me the real importance of being a Christian elected official,” he remarked.

From The Daily Beast

His very appointment as censor was due to the bottle-acquaintance that had sprung up with the regent Prince of Wales.

From Project Gutenberg

It appeared doubtful if the Queen Regent had not sacrificed the crown of one child to gratify the obstinacy of another.

From Project Gutenberg

His first visit was for Houston, who had a house on Regent Terrace, kept for him in old days by an aunt.

From Project Gutenberg

During the minority of the new ruler of Mahratta the dignity and power of regent were conferred upon the Mama Sahib.

From Project Gutenberg

Alan had been found in his own house in Regent Terrace, under care of the terrified butler.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ruler