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

Governor Lamont, a Democrat, who appoints most of the regents, should be embarrassed. —Chris Powell, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2025

By law, the Texas A&M board of regents had to name a finalist for the position before actually offering the job. —John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025

According to the regents’ announcement, Eltife will appoint a committee composed of faculty, staff, student, alumni and community representatives, along with two UT presidents. —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025

Overall, tuition hikes are expected to generate about $49 million in additional revenue, said Julie Gordon, interim vice president of finance and administration, during a meeting of the regents' Business and Finance Committee on July 10. —Cleo Krejci, jsonline.com, 10 July 2025

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