1
a
: 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
reigned; reigning; reigns
1
a
: 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
Examples of reign in a Sentence
Noun
She was a popular ruler throughout her reign.
the reign of Queen Elizabeth
his reign as department chairperson
her reign as team president
his reign as heavyweight boxing champion
the reign of digital technology
Verb
The king reigned in a time of peace and prosperity.
The lion reigns as king of the jungle.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ari Daniel, NPR, 27 Apr. 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
Andy McCullough, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
In many ways, the submarine reigns supreme among all naval assets.
—New Atlas, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reign
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Noun
The story of Kaabu's royalty and reign has been told for generations through the songs of griots.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 27 Apr. 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
Verb
The writing was already on the wall for reigning National League Manager of the Year Skip Schumaker, who had telegraphed his exit at the end of the season.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
In many ways, the submarine reigns supreme among all naval assets.
—New Atlas, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reign
Cite this Entry
“Reign.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reign. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reign
1 of 2 noun1
: the authority or rule of a monarch
2
: the time during which a monarch reigns
reign
2 of 2 verb1
: to govern as a monarch
2
: to exercise authority in the manner of a monarch
3
: to be usual or widespread
silence reigned
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