Regent: meaning, definitions and examples

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regent

 

[ ˈriː.dʒənt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

political role

A regent is a person appointed to administer a state because the monarch is a minor, absent, or incapacitated. They typically hold full sovereign powers and make governmental decisions on behalf of the king or queen.

Synonyms

administrator, guardian, viceroy

Examples of usage

  • The regent ruled until the young prince came of age.
  • During his absence, the regent took charge of the kingdom.
  • The council appointed a regent to lead during the crisis.
Context #2 | Noun

educational position

A regent can also refer to a member of a governing body of a university or college, responsible for overseeing its administration and policies.

Synonyms

board member, governor, trustee

Examples of usage

  • The regent discussed the new academic policies.
  • As a regent, she participated in vital decision-making for the university.
  • The board of regents met to review the budget.

Translations

Translations of the word "regent" in other languages:

🇵🇹 regente

🇮🇳 राज्यपाल

🇩🇪 Regent

🇮🇩 regent

🇺🇦 регієнт

🇵🇱 regent

🇯🇵 摂政

🇫🇷 régent

🇪🇸 regente

🇹🇷 vali

🇰🇷 섭정

🇸🇦 وصي

🇨🇿 regent

🇸🇰 regent

🇨🇳 摄政

🇸🇮 regent

🇮🇸 regent

🇰🇿 регент

🇬🇪 რეგენტი

🇦🇿 regent

🇲🇽 regente

Word origin

The term 'regent' originates from the Latin word 'regens', which means 'ruling'. This word is derived from 'regere', meaning 'to rule', and has been in use in English since the late 14th century. Traditionally, the title has been affiliated with royal governance, particularly in historical contexts where a regent was temporarily designated to rule on behalf of a king or queen unable to reign due to youth or incapacity. The concept of regency appears in various cultures and has adapted over the centuries, involving a range of powers and responsibilities depending on the political structure. In academia, the term evolved to describe individuals involved in the governance of educational institutions, reflecting the broad authority similar to that of a political regent.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,700, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.