regent

noun

re·​gent ˈrē-jənt How to pronounce regent (audio)
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 adjective

Examples of regent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
From there, the regents are empowered to hire the chancellor and university presidents, and set policy and admission standards, among other things. Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 7 May 2026 On Tuesday, Caloza and Ahrens joined a group of students calling for greater representation during a campaign-style rally outside the regents meeting at UCLA, part of a statewide tour. Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026 The regents may gather themselves by then and realize they have been relegated to mere spectators with titles as others strain to keep secret the complaint and how it was handled. Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026 Before returning to Congress, Mfume held a number of positions in the private sector, including CEO of the National Medical Association, an investigator for the Health Policy Research Consortium and chairman of the board of regents at his alma mater Morgan State University. Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for regent

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of regent was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Regent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regent. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

regent

noun
re·​gent ˈrē-jənt How to pronounce regent (audio)
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

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