Word
reign
US/ˈɹeɪn/
UK/ɹˈeɪn/
Definitions
01to rule as a monarch
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to rule a country as a king, queen, or emperor.
v. to exercise sovereign power or serve as the titular head of a nation.
日本語:統治する※
“Queen Victoria reigned over the British Empire for more than sixty years.”
“Although the monarch reigned for several decades, the actual administrative power resided with the parliament and the prime minister.”
Usage
The verb is intransitive and often followed by the preposition 'over'.
02to be the main quality
C1 · Advanced Literary
v. to be the most common or important feeling or situation in a place.
v. to be the predominant or prevailing quality, emotion, or condition in a specific environment.
“Silence reigned in the library as everyone focused on their books.”
“Confusion reigned throughout the capital following the sudden announcement of the currency devaluation.”
Synonyms
03period of rule
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the period of time during which a king or queen rules a country.
n. the duration of a monarch's rule or the period during which a particular influence is dominant.
Español:reinado
“The museum has many beautiful objects from the reign of King Henry VIII.”
“Historians often characterise his reign as a golden age of scientific discovery and artistic patronage.”
Pitfall
The horse's reign was pulled tight.
The horse's rein was pulled tight.
Do not confuse 'reign' (ruling) with 'rein' (the leather strap used to control a horse).
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “reign” in context.
Verb
01. chaos reigned in the streets
“Total chaos reigned in the streets after the power grid failed during the storm.”
noun + verb
02. reign over the kingdom
“Queen Victoria reigned over the British Empire during a period of immense industrial growth.”
verb + prep + noun
03. silence reigned throughout the room
“A heavy silence reigned throughout the room as the jury prepared to deliver their verdict.”
noun + verb
Preposition
04. during the reign
“Many architectural masterpieces were constructed during the reign of the Ming Dynasty.”
prep + noun
Adverb
05. briefly reign
“The young prince briefly reigned for only three months before the revolution began.”
adv + verb
06. supreme reign
“In the world of professional tennis, she reigned supreme for over a decade.”
adv + verb
Real-World Examples
“Now, her European reign has been ended by talented Swiss 22-year-old Audrey Werro, and a fresh wave of world-class rivals appear set to define the next chapter of Hodgkinson's story.” “Alexander II, the “czar liberator”
Russia was a major market for Louis Roederer during Alexander’s reign.” “A number of missteps pockmarked the last season of Eddie Howe’s reign.” Etymology
From Middle English regnen, from Old French reignier, from the Latin verb rēgnō, and the noun rēgnum. Doublet of regnum. Displaced native Old English rīċe (“a reign”) and ricsian (“to reign”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. reign supreme
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/reign
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0