reign

RAYN/ɹeɪn/

Often confused with rein

7 meanings of reign

1
nouncountable
The length of time that a king or queen rules a country.
Like the time a captain is in charge of a ship, from the first day to the last.
The queen's reign lasted more than sixty years.
During his reign, the country built many new roads.
Similarrule
2
verbintransitive
To rule a country as its king or queen.
Like being the leader who is in charge of a whole country.
The king reigned for forty years before he died.
A queen can reign without a king at her side.
Similarrule, govern
Note
3
noununcountable
The act of ruling with the full power of a king or queen.
Like the full control a captain has over everyone aboard a ship.
Their reign over the people was harsh and complete.
The new king's reign meant total control of the army.
Similarrule, sovereignty, dominion
Note
4
verbintransitive
To be the strongest feeling or quality in a place or moment.
Like one loud sound that fills and takes over a whole room.
Silence reigned in the empty classroom after the bell.
When the lights went out, panic began to reign.
Similarprevail, predominate
Note
5
verbintransitive
To be the most recent winner of a contest and still hold the title.
Like keeping a trophy on your shelf until someone finally beats you.
Our team has reigned as champions since last spring.
She will reign as the title-holder until the next match.
6
nouncountable
The land or area that a king or queen rules over.
Like the yard and fences that mark out where one house's land ends.
The king expanded his reign to the eastern hills.
Their reign once covered three large islands.
Similarrealm, domain, dominion, kingdom
Note
7
verbnonstandardtransitive
To rule a country directly as its king or queen.
Like one person being put in charge of running an entire country.
She reigned the kingdom with a firm and steady hand.
The House of Piast reigned Poland from its foundation to 1385.
2007, Anna Chilewska, Writing after the gaze: the rupture of the historicalHere, reigned means ruled the country.
Similarrule, govern
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin, from the verb "rēgnō" and the noun "rēgnum," reaching English through Old French.