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 Washington State regents directed $20 million of campus funding to the athletic department. —Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026

Defendants are university president Kelly Damphousse, three university administrators and the university’s board of regents. —Scott Huddleston, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Mar. 2026

May, who was introduced at a news conference on Monday, agreed to a four-year contract, pending the completion of a background check and approval of the university's board of regents. —CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026

University presidential candidates' identities could stay confidential Under House File 2245, which passed in a 63-27 vote along party lines, the names of regent university presidential candidates could stay confidential until regents on the search committee vote to release them. —Marissa Payne, Des Moines Register, 13 Mar. 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