reign
reign Lexical Profile
reign Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The period during which a monarch or sovereign occupies the throne and exercises royal authority.
"The architectural style flourished during the long reign of Queen Victoria."
The period of dominance, influence, or ascendancy of a person, group, or condition.
"The championship match marked the end of the defending team's three-year reign at the top of the league."
• verb
To hold royal office and rule a country or empire as a monarch.
"Emperor Augustus reigned over the Roman Empire for more than four decades."
To be the predominant, widespread, or most influential quality or condition in a particular situation.
"Silence reigned in the concert hall just before the orchestra began to play."
Word Nuance & Usage
Frequently confused with its homophones 'rein' (a leather strap used to guide a horse, as in 'free rein' or 'rein in') and 'rain' (precipitation).
• Rhymes for reign
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English regne, borrowed from Old French reigne, from Latin regnum ('kingship, dominion, rule'), which is related to rex ('king') and regere ('to rule, direct').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.