Definition of interregnum
interregnums
orinterregna
play \ˌin-tə-ˈreg-nə\1 : the time during which a throne is vacant between two successive reigns or regimes
2 : a period during which the normal functions of government or control are suspended
3 : a lapse or pause in a continuous series
From the M-W Editors
Examples of interregnum in a Sentence
the democratic regime proved to be a short-lived interregnum between dictatorships
Recent Examples of interregnum from the Web
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Sun Zhengcai, who had succeeded Mr Bo in Chongqing following a brief interregnum, was sacked.
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Set lists from the tour have shown a heavy emphasis on Tones on Tail, the very underrated goth-pop project that filled the mid-80s interregnum between Bauhaus and Love and Rockets.
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The fifth set of the Federer/Nadal 2017 Australian Open—a 42-minute interregnum—will have consequences on tennis history that will echo for decades.
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The campaign pledge, which continued into the interregnum before the inauguration, to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, has been shelved.
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Presidents-elect usually lie low during the interregnum.
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Presidents-elect usually lie low during the interregnum.
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The possibility of this kind of aftermarket intervention may signal just a brief interregnum in the course of automotive electronic evolution.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'interregnum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Every time a pope dies, there's an interregnum period before a new one is elected by the cardinals. In most democratic systems, however, the law specifies who should take office when a president or prime minister dies unexpectedly, and since the power usually passes automatically, there's no true interregnum. The question of succession—that is, of who should take over when a country's leader dies—has often presented huge problems for countries that lacked a constitution, and in monarchies it hasn't always been clear who should become king or queen when a monarch dies. The interregnum following the death of Edward VI in 1553, for instance, was briefly suspended when Lady Jane Grey was installed as Queen; nine days later she was replaced by Mary Tudor, who sent her straight to the Tower of London.
Origin and Etymology of interregnum
Latin, from inter- + regnum reign — more at reign
Other Government and Politics Terms
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for interregnum Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about interregnum
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