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

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

Some of the institutions in the system may resort to temporary closures, staff furloughs and salary reductions, moves that the board of regents has already authorized. —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

Vance serves on the institution’s board of regents by virtue of his role as vice president. —Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 13 June 2025

At their previous meeting in May, the regents approved a resolution that allows presidents of individual campuses to implement furloughs and temporary salary reductions as part of their budget plans. —Sam Gauntt, Baltimore Sun, 15 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