regnal

adjective

reg·​nal ˈreg-nᵊl How to pronounce regnal (audio)
: of or relating to a king or his reign
specifically : calculated from a monarch's accession to the throne
in his eighth regnal year

Examples of regnal 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.
The little prince’s name was soon announced as George Alexander Louis, likely a tribute to the regnal name of Queen Elizabeth’s father, King George VI. Janine Henni, People.com, 22 July 2025 Wojtyła took the regnal name after his predecessor, Pope John Paul I, who passed away only a month into his reign as the sovereign of Vatican City. Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025 In the fall, King Charles and Queen Camilla memorably penned birthday cards to the oldest man and woman in the U.K., signed with their regnal signatures. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 1 May 2024 Upon Queen Elizabeth's death on September 8, 2022, Charles immediately ascended to the throne, taking on the regnal name of King Charles III. Town & Country, 7 Sep. 2023 Questions about his regnal name popped up soon after his ascension, with the public wondering whether the new monarch would keep his name or adopt a new one in the tradition of previous royals. Quinci Legardye, Harper's BAZAAR, 6 May 2023

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin regnalis, from Latin regnum reign — more at reign

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of regnal was in 1612

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Cite this Entry

“Regnal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regnal. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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