reign

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noun \ˈrān\

Simple Definition of reign

: 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.

Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

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

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

First Known Use: 13th century

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

Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

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>