reign

1 of 2

noun

ˈrān 

1

a

: royal authority : sovereignty

under the reign of the Stuart kings

b

: the dominion, sway, or influence of one resembling a monarch

the reign of the Puritan ministers

2

: the time during which someone (such as a sovereign) reigns

reign

2 of 2

verb

reigned; reigning; reigns

intransitive verb

1

a

: to possess or exercise sovereign power : rule

b

: to hold office as chief of state although possessing little governing power

in England the sovereign reigns but does not rule

2

: to exercise authority in the manner of a monarch

3

: to be predominant or prevalent

chaos reigned in the classroom

Synonyms of reign

Noun

• dominion
• domination
• dominance
• supremacy
• sovereignty

Examples of reign in a Sentence

Noun

She was a popular ruler throughout her reign.

the reign of Queen Elizabeth

his reign as department chairperson

her reign as team president

his reign as heavyweight boxing champion

the reign of digital technology

Verb

The king reigned in a time of peace and prosperity.

The lion reigns as king of the jungle.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

British architect Francis Rattenbury designed the chateau-style Empress—named after Queen Victoria, also the Empress of India during the last part of her reign—which started construction in 1904 and opened in 1908. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Gersting also thought that copper, the color that ruled last fall, will continue its reign, as will low-maintenance glosses. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026

Verb

The tie-in between the world’s largest beauty company and reigning two-time UEFA Champions League winner will last through 2028, and is the first of its kind for L’Oréal. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026

But as the Chiefs rest during the bye week, Walker’s opening bid has unfolded beyond most projections, even for a reigning Super Bowl MVP. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English regne, from Anglo-French, from Latin regnum, from reg-, rex king — more at royal

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing reign

• reigned supreme
• reign of terror
• reign supreme

Rhymes for reign

• ane
• bane
• blain
• brain
• cane
• chaine
• cheyne
• deign
• drain
• fain
• fane
• feign

Kids Definition

reign

1 of 2 noun

ˈrān 

1

: the authority or rule of a monarch

2

: the time during which a monarch reigns

reign

2 of 2 verb

1

: to govern as a monarch

2

: to exercise authority in the manner of a monarch

3

: to be usual or widespread

silence reigned