regent

noun

re·​gent ˈrē-jənt 

1

: a person who governs a kingdom in the minority, absence, or disability of the sovereign

2

: a person who rules or reigns : governor

3

: a member of a governing board (as of a state university)

regent adjective

regental

ˈrē-jən-tᵊl 

adjective

Examples of regent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Wisconsin open meetings compliance guide requires votes by the board of regents, with very narrow exceptions, to be done in public and recorded. —CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026

Texas Tech booster Cody Campbell, chairman of the school’s board of regents, had a social media joust with Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark over a Red Raiders football game that will likely move to Friday night during the upcoming season. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026

The alliance successfully supported Maria Cristiana, who was acting as regent for Isabella II in Spain and had allied herself with the liberals against the pretender Don Carlos in the First Carlist War (1833–39). —Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026

The board of regents met behind closed doors on Wednesday to discuss personnel matters. —ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin regent-, regens, from Latin, present participle of regere to direct — more at right

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing regent

• vice-regent

Kids Definition

regent

noun

re·​gent ˈrē-jənt 

1

: a person who governs a kingdom when a monarch is not able to

2

: a member of a governing group (as of a state university)

regent adjective

Etymology

Middle English regent "one who governs," from early French regent or Latin regent-, regens (both, same meaning), from earlier Latin regens, a form of the verb regere "to lead straight, govern, rule" — related to rail entry 1, regulate, rule