reign

¹reign

noun \ˈrān\

Definition of REIGN

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 one (as a sovereign) reigns

Examples of REIGN

1. She was a popular ruler throughout her reign.
2. the reign of Queen Elizabeth
3. his reign as department chairperson
4. her reign as team president
5. his reign as heavyweight boxing champion
6. the reign of digital technology

Origin of REIGN

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

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to REIGN

Synonyms: ascendance (also ascendence), ascendancy (also ascendency), dominance, domination, dominion, hegemony, imperium, predominance, predominancy, preeminence, supremacy, sovereignty (also sovranty)

Antonyms: impotence, impotency, powerlessness

Related Words: primacy, superiority; lordship, scepter; arm, authority, choke hold, clutch, command, control, grip, hold, mastery, sway; takeover; direction, jurisdiction, management; clout, might, pull, weight; eminence, importance, moment; prerogative, privilege, right

Near Antonyms: helplessness, weakness; impotence, impotency, powerlessness

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Rhymes with REIGN

ain, Aisne, ane, Bain, bane, blain, brain, cane, chain, crane, deign, drain, fain, fane, feign, gain, grain, Kane, lane, Lane, main, mane, pain, Paine, pane, plain, plane, quean, rain, rein, sain, sane, seine, Seine, skein, Spain, sprain, stain, strain, swain, thane, thegn, train, twain, Twain, vain, vane, vein, wain, wane, Wayne