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

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

Earlier this week, the regents unanimously voted to send requests to the NCAA and the National Junior College Athletic Association. —Fox News, 10 Oct. 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