regalia
plural noun
Did you know?
Just as regal describes a king or queen—that is, a ruler—regalia originally meant the things, and especially the dress and decoration, that belong exclusively to a monarch. The British monarchy's regalia include the crown jewels (crown, scepter, orb, sword, etc.) that lend luster to royal coronations. Academic regalia—the caps, gowns, and hoods worn by students receiving their degrees—link institutions to their past by preserving the dress worn at universities since their beginnings in the Middle Ages, when long hooded robes were needed for warmth.
Examples of regalia in a Sentence
Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
The ring, a highly symbolic piece of jewelry, is presented to the pope at his inauguration and is part of the pope's regalia, or the emblems or insignia of the office.
—George Petras, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
Dance competitions for all ages showcase diverse styles and colorful regalia, and drumming groups compete, demonstrating the rhythms central to traditional ceremonies.
—Pat Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2025
Children dance with pride in native regalia at the cruise port and some community members who had left are returning to open new businesses and raise families.
—Elaine Glusac, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Regalia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regalia. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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regalia
singular or plural noun
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