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reign

v. · n.
US //ˈɹeɪn// UK //ɹˈeɪn// reign
  1. 1 to rule as a monarch (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to rule a country as a king, queen, or emperor.

    to exercise sovereign power or serve as the titular head of a nation.

    Example

    Queen Victoria reigned over the British Empire for more than sixty years.

    Example

    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'.
  2. 2 to be the main quality (v.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    to be the most common or important feeling or situation in a place.

    to be the predominant or prevailing quality, emotion, or condition in a specific environment.

    Example

    Silence reigned in the library as everyone focused on their books.

    Example

    Confusion reigned throughout the capital following the sudden announcement of the currency devaluation.
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  1. 3 period of rule (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the period of time during which a king or queen rules a country.

    the duration of a monarch's rule or the period during which a particular influence is dominant.

    Example

    The museum has many beautiful objects from the reign of King Henry VIII.

    Example

    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).

Origin

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”).

Idioms1 entry

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