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

All other regents were selected by former Gov. Doug Ducey. —The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024

His father had died under suspicious circumstances a few months earlier, and most of the regents who subsequently ruled on his behalf met violent ends. —Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024

Three regents flipped: Walsh, Bogost and student regent Jennifer Staton, who delivered a fiery speech slamming Vos. —Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2024

The regents returned to discuss the proposal and voted to consider adoption at their next meeting in May. —John Woolfolk, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024

In this episode, a young man named Tadayoshi, in the service of Lord Toranaga, has an outburst during a meeting of the five regents of Japan. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

Five regents, including Toranaga, have been entrusted to maintain peace while keeping the royal seat warm for their deceased sovereign’s sole heir, who has yet to come of age. —Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024

For instance, the regent could not give a thumbs-up to a piece of legislation that changed the order of succession to the throne. —Karla Adam, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2024

Ultimately, regents serving on a joint committee voted to delay action until its next meeting in May. —Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024

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