reign

¹reign

noun \ˈrān\

: the period of time during which a king, queen, emperor, etc., is ruler of a country

: the period of time during which someone is in charge of a group or organization

: the period of time during which someone or something is the best or the most important, powerful, etc.

Full 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

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

²reign

intransitive verb

: to rule as a king, queen, emperor, etc.

: to be the best or the most powerful or important person or thing

—used to say that a quality exists to such a degree in a place or situation that it affects everything about that place or situation

Full Definition of REIGN

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>

Examples of REIGN

1. The king reigned in a time of peace and prosperity.
2. The lion reigns as king of the jungle.

First Known Use of REIGN

14th century

Other Government and Politics Terms

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