Definition of 'reign'

Word Frequency

reign

(reɪn )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense reigns , present participle reigning , past tense, past participle reigned

1. verb

If you say, for example, that silence reigns in a place or confusion reigns in a situation, you mean that the place is silent or the situation is confused.

[written]

Confusion reigned about how the debate would end. [VERB]

A relative calm reigned over the city. [VERB + over]

Synonyms: be supreme, prevail, predominate, hold sway More Synonyms of reign

2. verb

When a king or queen reigns, he or she rules a country.

...Henry II, who reigned from 1154 to 1189. [VERB]

...George III, Britain's longest reigning monarch. [VERB-ing]

Synonyms: rule, govern, be in power, occupy or sit on the throne More Synonyms of reign

Reign is also a noun.

...Queen Victoria's reign.

3. verb

If you say that a person reigns in a situation or area, you mean that they are very powerful or successful.

He reigned as the male sex symbol of the 1950s. [VERB]

...the girls that reigned over 1960s pop. [VERB + over]

Reign is also a noun.

...Klitschko's 11-year reign as a world champion.

See sb/sth reigns supreme

See reign of terror

More Synonyms of reign

Video: pronunciation of
reign

reign in British English

(reɪn )

noun

the period during which a monarch is the official ruler of a country

a period during which a person or thing is dominant, influential, or powerful

the reign of violence is over

verb (intransitive)

to exercise the power and authority of a sovereign

to be accorded the rank and title of a sovereign without having ruling authority, as in a constitutional monarchy

to predominate; prevail

a land where darkness reigns

6. (usually present participle)

to be the most recent winner of a competition, contest, etc

the reigning heavyweight champion

▶ USAGE Reign is sometimes wrongly written for rein in certain phrases: he gave full rein (not reign) to his feelings; it will be necessary to rein in (not reign in) public spending

Word origin

C13: from Old French reigne, from Latin rēgnum kingdom, from rēx king

Word Frequency

reign in American English

(reɪn )

noun

royal power, authority, or rule; sovereignty

dominance, prevalence, or sway

the reign of good will

the period of rule, dominance, sway, etc.

verb intransitive

to rule as a sovereign

to hold the title of sovereign, as in a constitutional monarchy

to hold sway; prevail or predominate

when peace reigns

Word origin

ME regne < OFr < L regnum < regere, to rule: see right

Example sentences including
reign

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The reigning Wimbledon champion has recounted a spooky episode in which he once awoke to find a hotel maid stroking his arm.ITV reigned supreme in the soaps. Leicester City are the first reigning champions for more than 50 years to lose three consecutive away league games by at least three goals.The ageing fighter comes out of retirement to take on the reigning heavyweight champion.Be ready to be a part of that sovereign reign and receive your promotion.We are the reigning champ and the odds reflect it.England were reigning champs after lifting the trophy four years earlier.Without question, one broadcaster still reigns supreme.Like other personal trainers, her reign of terror involves exercise.Here there are no forests, but the farm reigns supreme.

Quotations

Here we may reign secure, and in my choice
To reign is worth ambition though in hell;
Better to reign in hell, than serve in heav'nJohn MiltonParadise Lost

More idioms containing
reign

a reign of terror

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reign

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In other languages
reign

British English: reign VERB

silence If you say, for example, that silence reigns in a place or confusion reigns in a situation, you mean that the place is silent or the situation is confused.

Confusion reigned about how the debate would end.