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

And under Frenk’s leadership, the university banned Students for Justice in Palestine after pro-Palestinian demonstrators vandalized a UC regent’s Brentwood home. —Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025

The following month, Princess Alexandra’s father announced a shake-up in the royal family, announcing his plans to appoint her eldest brother, Prince Guillaume, as his Lieutenant-Representative, or regent. —Meredith Kile, People.com, 22 May 2025

Myers asked Tuesday afternoon at the UC regents meeting. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025

The regents did not respond to a request for comment. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 13 Mar. 2025

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