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

Former Michigan linebackers coach Chris Partridge is suing the university, its board of regents and athletic director Warde Manuel for firing him in 2023 while the NCAA investigated allegations of in-person scouting and sign-stealing. —CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026

In an appreciative statement posted Wednesday on social media—also an increasingly rare gesture in the midst of a coaching split—Hurley thanked Arizona State president Michael Crow and the school’s board of regents. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 Mar. 2026

After retiring from his 33-year tenure as regents professor of paleontology at Montana State University in Bozeman, Horner joined Chapman University in 2016 as a lecturer and presidential fellow. —Victoria Le, Oc Register, 3 Mar. 2026

The $7 billion projection is the brainchild of Cody Campbell, the billionaire head of the board of regents at Texas Tech, who established a nonprofit called Saving College Sports, which is the focal point of the paper’s analysis. —Eddie Pells, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026

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