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

Within the span of a year, Michigan could have a new football coach, a new men’s basketball coach, a new president, a new configuration of its board of regents and a new athletic director. — Austin Meek, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Currently, congressional members on the regents are evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026

Speaking at a regents meeting in San Francisco, Chair Maria Anguiano called on the influential Academic Senate to take on broad questions of college readiness, which has been at the heart of the SAT debate. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 14 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

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