noun
Common
reign
rayn
Reign (noun) means the period of time during which a monarch rules. Example: “During her reign, the country enjoyed many years of peace.”
noun
1
The period of time during which a monarch rules.
"During her reign, the country enjoyed many years of peace."
"The queen's long reign saw great changes in the country's towns."
"The castle was built during the reign of Henry VIII."
verb
1
To rule as a king, queen, or monarch.
"The king reigned wisely for forty years."
"She reigned over a peaceful land until her son took the throne."
"Queen Victoria reigned for over sixty years."
2
To be the dominant or prevailing force in a place or situation.
"Silence reigned in the library during the exam."
"Excitement reigned at the station as the first train arrived."
"Chaos reigned in the office after the server crashed."
How to use reign
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo rule as a monarch, or (more loosely) to dominate a place or moment.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "rein" (a strap for controlling a horse, or "to rein in") or "rain" (water falling from the sky) — all three sound identical.
Common pairings
reign of terror
during her reign
reign supreme
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Word forms
- Plural
- reigns
- Third person singular
- reigns
- Past tense
- reigned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
During her _____, the country enjoyed many years of peace.
Etymology
From Old French reignier, from Latin rēgnō, related to rēgnum ("kingdom, rule").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for reign
See all rhymes for reign →Frequently asked questions
What does “reign” mean?
The word “reign” means the period of time during which a monarch rules. In plain terms, to rule as a monarch, or (more loosely) to dominate a place or moment.
How do you pronounce “reign”?
“Reign” is pronounced rayn (/ɹeɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “reign” in a sentence?
Here is “reign” used in a sentence: “The castle was built during the reign of Henry VIII.”
What part of speech is “reign”?
Depending on how it is used, “reign” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “reign” come from?
The word “reign” comes from Latin. From Old French reignier, from Latin rēgnō, related to rēgnum ("kingdom, rule").
Is “reign” a common word?
“Reign” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “reign” have?
“Reign” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the period of time during which a monarch rules.
What is the difference between reign and rein?
Reign means to rule as a monarch, or the period of a monarch's rule, while a rein is a strap used to control a horse. The two words sound identical, which is why phrases like "rein in" and "free rein" are so often misspelled with reign.
Is it "free rein" or "free reign"?
The standard idiom is free rein, meaning complete freedom to act, and it comes from horse riding: loosening the reins lets the horse move freely. "Free reign" is a common misspelling, although the mental image of unrestricted rule makes the error easy to understand.
What is the difference between reign and rule?
To reign is to hold the position of monarch, while to rule is to actually exercise governing power. The distinction matters in constitutional monarchies, where it is often said that the monarch "reigns but does not rule" because day-to-day power lies with an elected government.
Can reign be used for things other than kings and queens?
Yes. Reign also means to be the dominant or prevailing force in a place or situation, as in "chaos reigned" or "silence reigned over the hall". It is also common in sport, where the current title-holder is called the reigning champion.
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