noun Uncommon

regency

REED-zhuhn-see

Regency (noun) means a period or system of government in which someone rules on behalf of a monarch who cannot rule themselves. Example: “The young prince's regency lasted until he came of age.”

noun

A period or system of government in which someone rules on behalf of a monarch who cannot rule themselves.

"The young prince's regency lasted until he came of age."

An administrative division in Indonesia, ranking below a province.

"The regency office issued new local permits."

How to use regency

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA period when a stand-in ruler governs instead of the monarch, usually because the monarch is a child, absent, or incapacitated.

Common pairings

during the regency regency period Regency era

Word forms

regencies plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “regency” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The young prince's _____ lasted until he came of age.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin regentia, ultimately from Latin regens, "ruling," formed from regent plus -cy.

Origin: Medieval Latin

Rhymes for regency

agency latency urgency potency decency currency tendency clemency leniency frequency emergency residency

See all rhymes for regency →

Frequently asked questions

What does “regency” mean?

The word “regency” means a period or system of government in which someone rules on behalf of a monarch who cannot rule themselves. In plain terms, a period when a stand-in ruler governs instead of the monarch, usually because the monarch is a child, absent, or incapacitated.

How do you pronounce “regency”?

“Regency” is pronounced REED-zhuhn-see (/ˈɹiːd͡ʒənsi/ in IPA).

How do you use “regency” in a sentence?

Here is “regency” used in a sentence: “The young prince's regency lasted until he came of age.”

What part of speech is “regency”?

“Regency” is a noun.

Where does the word “regency” come from?

The word “regency” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin regentia, ultimately from Latin regens, "ruling," formed from regent plus -cy.

Is “regency” a common word?

“Regency” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “regency” have?

“Regency” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a period or system of government in which someone rules on behalf of a monarch who cannot rule themselves.