regent

noun

re·​gent ˈrē-jənt 

1

: a person who governs a kingdom in the minority, absence, or disability of the sovereign

2

: a person who rules or reigns : governor

3

: a member of a governing board (as of a state university)

regent adjective

regental

ˈrē-jən-tᵊl 

adjective

Examples of regent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Atwell recalled the most recent push came from Milwaukee-area regents around 2021. —Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2025

The award-winning press was created by the university’s regents in July 1925 at a meeting of the Agricultural Committee that included Regent William Mayo, co-founder of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. —Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 9 Feb. 2025

Toranaga’s rival regents conceive a plot to squeeze him out of the Council and consolidate their power. —Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2024

In May, protesters held late-night demonstrations outside the private homes of several university regents, placing fake bloody body bags on their lawns and tacking a list of demands to their front doors, according to a statement from university president Santa J. Ono. —Jake Tapper, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin regent-, regens, from Latin, present participle of regere to direct — more at right

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing regent

• vice-regent

Kids Definition

regent

noun

re·​gent ˈrē-jənt 

1

: a person who governs a kingdom when a monarch is not able to

2

: a member of a governing group (as of a state university)

regent adjective

Etymology

Middle English regent "one who governs," from early French regent or Latin regent-, regens (both, same meaning), from earlier Latin regens, a form of the verb regere "to lead straight, govern, rule" — related to rail entry 1, regulate, rule