# viceroy

/ˈvaɪsɹɔɪ/ (US) · /vˈaɪsɹɔɪ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/viceroy
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

a person who rules a country or colony as a representative of a king or queen.

For teachers: a person appointed to rule a country or province as the representative of the sovereign. Often used in historical contexts regarding colonial administration.

## Examples

- The viceroy ruled the colony in the name of the king.
- During the colonial era, the viceroy held supreme authority over the territory and reported directly to the monarch.
- The administration of the vast overseas empire was delegated to a viceroy, whose primary duty was to enforce royal decrees while maintaining local order and tax collection.

## Usage notes

- Often capitalised when used as a formal title before a name.

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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.