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
1
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."
2
An administrative division in Indonesia, ranking below a province.
"The regency office issued new local permits."
How to use regency
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- regencies
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.
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.
