reign

²reign

verb

Definition of REIGN

intransitive verb

1

a : to possess or exercise sovereign power : rule b : to hold office as chief of state although possessing little governing power <in England the sovereign reigns but does not rule>

2

: to exercise authority in the manner of a monarch

3

: to be predominant or prevalent <chaos reigned in the classroom>

Examples of REIGN

1. The king reigned in a time of peace and prosperity.
2. The lion reigns as king of the jungle.

First Known Use of REIGN

14th century

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism