# Regency

/ˈɹidʒənsi/ (US) · /ɹˈiːdʒənsi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/regency
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a period of time when a person rules a country because the king or queen is too young, old, or sick to do it. It often refers to a specific style of art and furniture from early 19th-century England.

For teachers: the office or period of government by a person appointed to administer a state because the monarch is incapacitated or underage. When capitalised, it specifically denotes the period in British history from 1811 to 1820.

## Examples

- The prince took over the regency when the king became ill.
- During the regency, the prince acted as the head of state while his father was unable to perform his duties.
- The Regency era is celebrated for its distinctive architectural elegance and the sophisticated social comedies of manners found in the literature of the period.

## Usage notes

- Often used as a proper noun (Regency) when referring to the specific historical period in the United Kingdom.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.