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

According to Isaac, the regent was a cruel and greedy man who killed his subjects, took their land, and allied himself with Congo’s dictator, Joseph Mobutu. —Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025

All parties thought the deal was done, but a few members of the school’s board of regents objected. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Nov. 2025

Kevin Eltife, the chair of the UT system’s board of regents, said the system of Texas schools was honored UT Austin was selected for the proposal. —Connor Greene, Time, 21 Oct. 2025

University of Colorado regent and board chair Callie Rennison will not seek re-election in 2026, her office announced Sunday evening. —Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 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