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 regents, with the support of then-UC President Janet Napolitano, voted unanimously in May 2020 to end testing requirements and said UC should study the feasibility of creating its own standardized test. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026

The regent turned to the 15-year-old boy and handed him full political power, five years ahead of schedule. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026

The Smithsonian is overseen by Bunch and a board of regents, which includes Vice President Vance, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and other members appointed by Congress. — Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 9 July 2026

The Spanish Inquisition was definitively dissolved by a decree from Spanish queen regent María Cristina de Borbón. — USA Today, 29 June 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