reign
- 01 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.
Simple“Queen Victoria reigned over the British Empire for more than sixty years.”
In context“Although the monarch reigned for several decades, the actual administrative power resided with the parliament and the prime minister.”
UsageThe verb is intransitive and often followed by the preposition 'over'.
- 02 C1 Advanced
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.
Simple“Silence reigned in the library as everyone focused on their books.”
In context“Confusion reigned throughout the capital following the sudden announcement of the currency devaluation.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
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.
Simple“The museum has many beautiful objects from the reign of King Henry VIII.”
In context“Historians often characterise his reign as a golden age of scientific discovery and artistic patronage.”
PitfallThe 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).
“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.”
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.