Definition of reign
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: royal authority : sovereignty
under the reign of the Stuart kings
b
: the dominion, sway, or influence of one resembling a monarch
the reign of the Puritan ministers
2
: the time during which someone (such as a sovereign) reigns
reign
verb
reigned; reigning; reigns
Definition of reign (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: to possess or exercise sovereign power : rule
b
: to hold office as chief of state although possessing little governing power
in England the sovereign reigns but does not rule
2
: to exercise authority in the manner of a monarch
3
: to be predominant or prevalent
chaos reigned in the classroom
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for reign
The first known use of reign was in the 13th century
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