reign

UK: /ˈreɪn/ US: /reɪn/ ,(rān)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

reign /reɪn/   n. [countable]

1. the period during which a ruler occupies the throne.

v. [no object]

2. to possess or use the power or authority of a ruler;
   rule:
   The queen reigned over her subjects.
3. to have influence or hold sway:
   Let peace reign over all.

See -reg-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

reign  (rān), n. 

1. the period during which a sovereign occupies the throne.
2. royal rule or authority;
   sovereignty.
3. dominating power or influence:
   the reign of law.

v.i. 

4. to possess or exercise sovereign power or authority.
5. to hold the position and name of sovereign without exercising the ruling power.
6. to have control, rule, or influence of any kind.
7. to predominate;
   be prevalent.

• Latin rēgnāre, derivative of rēgnum
• Old French reignier
• Latin rēgnum realm, reign, derivative of rēg- (stem of rēx) king; (verb, verbal) Middle English reinen, regnen
• Old French reigne
• (noun, nominal) Middle English reine, regne 1225–75

Synonyms

• 2. dominion, suzerainty.
• 4. rule, govern, prevail.

Antonyms

• 4. obey.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

reign / reɪn/ noun

1. the period during which a monarch is the official ruler of a country
2. a period during which a person or thing is dominant, influential, or powerful: the reign of violence is over

verb (intransitive)

1. to exercise the power and authority of a sovereign
2. to be accorded the rank and title of a sovereign without having ruling authority, as in a constitutional monarchy
3. to predominate; prevail: a land where darkness reigns

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French reigne, from Latin rēgnum kingdom, from rēx kingUSAGE
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