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

The bill would also reduce the term of a regent from six to four years. —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences regents and the Oklahoma State University Medical Center were the largest recipients, being awarded $25 million and $30 million respectively, receiving over 36% of all funding awarded. —Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice, 15 Jan. 2026

The satellite campus was announced in November 2021, and the university’s board of regents gave approval to move forward with construction of two buildings in May 2022. —Samuel O'Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2026

The pressure has led regents and university leaders, including those at Texas A&M University System and Texas Tech University System, to institute new policies limiting how professors can teach about race and gender. —Milla Surjadi, Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 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