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

Increases in tuition are needed despite an increase in state funding for the UW System in the 2025-27 state budget, regents and UW staff said during July 10 discussions. —Cleo Krejci, jsonline.com, 10 July 2025

In June, the Gophers shared with regents their budget crunch includes $15 million in general cost increases via scholarships, compensations, debt service, expanded travel and other items. —Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 9 July 2025

Jim Martin is a past CU regent who can be reached at [e-mail]. —Jim Martin, Denver Post, 27 June 2025

This is the newest member to join San Diego State in the Pac-12, made official Monday morning by the Texas State board of regents after a formal invitation for the 2026-27 academic year was extended last week to a school 1,000 miles from the conference’s Pacific Ocean namesake. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025

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