Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense reigns, present participle reigning, past tense, past participle reigned
1. verb
If you say, for example, that silence reigns in a place or confusion reigns in a situation, you mean that the place is silent or the situation is confused.
[written]
Confusion reigned about how the debate would end. [VERB]
A relative calm reigned over the city. [VERB + over]
Synonyms: be supreme, prevail, predominate, hold sway More Synonyms of reign
2. verb
When a king or queen reigns, he or she rules a country.
...Henry II, who reigned from 1154 to 1189. [VERB]
...George III, Britain's longest reigning monarch. [VERB-ing]
Synonyms: rule, govern, be in power, occupy or sit on the throne More Synonyms of reign
Reign is also a noun.
...Queen Victoria's reign.
3. verb
If you say that a person reigns in a situation or area, you mean that they are very powerful or successful.
He reigned as the male sex symbol of the 1950s. [VERB]
...the girls that reigned over 1960s pop. [VERB + over]
Reign is also a noun.
...Klitschko's 11-year reign as a world champion.
4.
See sb/sth reigns supreme
5.
See reign of terror
More Synonyms of reign
reign in British English
(reɪn)
noun
1.
the period during which a monarch is the official ruler of a country
2.
a period during which a person or thing is dominant, influential, or powerful
the reign of violence is over
verb(intransitive)
3.
to exercise the power and authority of a sovereign
4.
to be accorded the rank and title of a sovereign without having ruling authority, as in a constitutional monarchy
5.
to predominate; prevail
a land where darkness reigns
6. (usually present participle)
to be the most recent winner of a competition, contest, etc
the reigning heavyweight champion
▶ USAGE Reign is sometimes wrongly written for rein in certain phrases: he gave full rein (not reign) to his feelings; it will be necessary to rein in (not reign in) public spending
Word origin
C13: from Old French reigne, from Latin rēgnum kingdom, from rēx king
reign in American English
(reɪn)
noun
1.
royal power, authority, or rule; sovereignty
2.
dominance, prevalence, or sway
the reign of good will
3.
the period of rule, dominance, sway, etc.
verb intransitive
4.
a.
to rule as a sovereign
b.
to hold the title of sovereign, as in a constitutional monarchy
5.
to hold sway; prevail or predominate
when peace reigns
Word origin
ME regne < OFr < L regnum < regere, to rule: see right
More idioms containing
reign
a reign of terror
Examples of 'reign' in a sentence
reign
The reigning Wimbledon champion has recounted a spooky episode in which he once awoke to find a hotel maid stroking his arm.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
ITV reigned supreme in the soaps.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Leicester City are the first reigning champions for more than 50 years to lose three consecutive away league games by at least three goals.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The ageing fighter comes out of retirement to take on the reigning heavyweight champion.
The Sun (2015)
Be ready to be a part of that sovereign reign and receive your promotion.
Christianity Today (2000)
We are the reigning champ and the odds reflect it.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
England were reigning champs after lifting the trophy four years earlier.
The Sun (2012)
Without question, one broadcaster still reigns supreme.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Like other personal trainers, her reign of terror involves exercise.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Here there are no forests, but the farm reigns supreme.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Writing the official life of the much-loved mother of the reigning monarch cannot have been easy.
The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
But the reigning 400 metres champ insists gold is not on her mind.
The Sun (2012)
Unusually, it changes its name with the gender of the reigning monarch.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
For a reigning monarch, that might be considered irresponsible.
Jonathan Gregson BLOOD AGAINST THE SNOWS: The Tragic Story of Nepal's Royal Dynasty (2002)
What began as a careful encroachment into dozens of towns and villages is now a full-blown reign of terror.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
People tend to forget that when she passed the longest reigning monarch, that was only because her father died so young.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We can look forward to the time when it will reign supreme over the whole of thought and over all man's actions.
Michael Burleigh Earthly Powers: Religion and Politics in Europe from the Enlightenment to the GreatWar (2005)
The expectation that values could surge for the rest of the monarch 's reign and beyond is causing speculation about the likely hotspots.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The reigning world 5,000m champ tumbled again in Boston this month during the mile.
The Sun (2012)
That followed another hattrick at Thirsk on Monday for the reigning champ.
The Sun (2011)
Yesterday's result means that Africa is the only continent where the most populous nation are the reigning football champions.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
A score draw or better will see the Gunners through at the expense of the reigning European champions.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Quotations
Here we may reign secure, and in my choice To reign is worth ambition though in hell; Better to reign in hell, than serve in heav'nJohn MiltonParadise Lost
In other languages
reign
British English: reign VERB
silence If you say, for example, that silence reigns in a place or confusion reigns in a situation, you mean that the place is silent or the situation is confused.
Confusion reigned about how the debate would end.
American English: reign
Brazilian Portuguese: reinar
Chinese: 盛行
European Spanish: imperar
French: régner
German: herrschen
Italian: regnare
Japanese: > 行き渡る雰囲気が
Korean: 가득하다
European Portuguese: reinar
Latin American Spanish: imperar
British English: reign VERB
monarch When a king or queen reigns, he or she rules a country.
...Henry II, who reigned from 1154 to 1189.
American English: reign
Brazilian Portuguese: reinar
Chinese: 主宰
European Spanish: reinar
French: régner
German: herrschen
Italian: regnare
Japanese: 君臨する
Korean: 통치하다
European Portuguese: reinar
Latin American Spanish: reinar
Chinese translation of 'reign'
reign
(reɪn)
n(c)
[of monarch]统(統)治 (tǒngzhì)
vi
[monarch]统(統)治 (lǒngzhào)
[peace, calm, silence etc]笼(籠)罩 (lǒngzhào)
a reign of terror恐怖时(時)期 (kǒngbù shíqī)
to reign supreme占(佔)绝(絕)对(對)优(優)势(勢) (zhàn juéduì yōushì)
1 (verb)
Definition
to be supreme
A relative calm reigned over the city.
Synonyms
be supreme
prevail
A similar situation prevails in America.
predominate
a society where Islamic principles predominate
hold sway
Here, a completely different approach seems to hold sway.
be rife
be rampant
2 (verb)
Definition
to rule (a country)
Henry II, who reigned from 1154 to 1189
Synonyms
rule
She ruled for eight years.
govern
They go to the polls on Friday to choose the people they want to govern their country.
be in power
occupy or sit on the throne
influence
command
the French general who commands the UN troops in the region
administer
Next summer's exams will be straightforward to administer.
hold sway
wear the crown
wield the sceptre
(noun)
Definition
the period during which a monarch is the official ruler of a country
Queen Victoria's reign
Synonyms
rule
the winding-up of British rule over the territory
sovereignty
Concern to protect national sovereignty is far from new.
supremacy
The president asserted his supremacy over the prime minister.
power
women who have reached positions of great power and influence
control
The first aim of his government would be to establish control over the republic's territory.
influence
As we grew older, I had less influence and couldn't control him.
command
the struggle for command of the air
empire
the erroneous belief that man possesses empire over all the creatures in the world
monarchy
sway
How can mothers keep daughters under their sway?
dominion
They believe they have dominion over us.
hegemony
the economic world hegemony of the West
ascendancy
The extremists are gaining ascendancy.
idiom
See reign of terror
Usage note
The words rein and reign should not be confused; note the correct spellings in he gave full rein to his feelings (not reign); and it will be necessary to rein in public spending (not reign in).
Quotation
Here we may reign secure, and in my choice To reign is worth ambition though in hell; Better to reign in hell, than serve in heav'n [John Milton – Paradise Lost]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of administer
Definition
to manage (an organization or estate)
Next summer's exams will be straightforward to administer.
Synonyms
manage,
run,
control,
rule,
direct,
handle,
conduct,
command,
govern,
oversee,
supervise,
preside over,
be in charge of,
superintend
in the sense of ascendancy
Definition
the condition of being dominant
The extremists are gaining ascendancy.
Synonyms
influence,
power,
control,
rule,
authority,
command,
reign,
sovereignty,
sway,
dominance,
domination,
superiority,
supremacy,
mastery,
dominion,
upper hand,
hegemony,
prevalence,
pre-eminence,
predominance,
rangatiratanga (New Zealand)
in the sense of command
Definition
to have authority over
the French general who commands the UN troops in the region
Synonyms
have authority over,
lead,
head,
control,
rule,
manage,
handle,
dominate,
govern,
administer,
supervise,
be in charge of,
reign over
Synonyms of 'reign'
reign
Explore 'reign' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of command
Definition
knowledge
the struggle for command of the air
Synonyms
domination,
control,
rule,
grasp,
sway,
mastery,
dominion,
upper hand,
power,
government
in the sense of control
Definition
power to direct something
The first aim of his government would be to establish control over the republic's territory.
Synonyms
power,
government,
rule,
authority,
management,
direction,
command,
discipline,
guidance,
supervision,
jurisdiction,
supremacy,
mastery,
superintendence,
charge
in the sense of dominion
Definition
control or authority
They believe they have dominion over us.
Synonyms
control,
government,
power,
rule,
authority,
command,
sovereignty,
sway,
domination,
jurisdiction,
supremacy,
mastery,
ascendancy,
mana (New Zealand)
in the sense of empire
the erroneous belief that man possesses empire over all the creatures in the world
Synonyms
power,
government,
control,
rule,
authority,
command,
sovereignty,
sway,
supremacy,
dominion,
mana (New Zealand)
in the sense of govern
Definition
to direct and control the policy and affairs of (a country or an organization)
They go to the polls on Friday to choose the people they want to govern their country.
Synonyms
rule,
lead,
control,
command,
manage,
direct,
guide,
handle,
conduct,
order,
reign over,
administer,
oversee,
supervise,
be in power over,
call the shots,
call the tune,
hold sway over,
superintend
in the sense of hegemony
Definition
domination of one state, country, or class within a group of others
the economic world hegemony of the West
Synonyms
domination,
leadership,
dominance,
sway,
supremacy,
mastery,
upper hand,
ascendancy,
pre-eminence,
predominance
in the sense of hold sway
Definition
to have power or influence
Here, a completely different approach seems to hold sway.
Synonyms
prevail,
rule,
predominate,
reign,
be in power,
hold power,
exercise power,
wield power,
have the greatest influence,
be most powerful,
have the ascendancy
in the sense of influence
Definition
power resulting from ability, wealth, or position
As we grew older, I had less influence and couldn't control him.
Synonyms
control,
power,
authority,
direction,
command,
domination,
supremacy,
mastery,
ascendancy,
mana (New Zealand),
bottom
in the sense of power
Definition
a position of control, esp. over the running of a country
women who have reached positions of great power and influence
Synonyms
control,
authority,
influence,
command,
sovereignty,
sway,
dominance,
domination,
supremacy,
mastery,
dominion,
ascendancy,
mana (New Zealand),
bottom
in the sense of predominate
Definition
to be the most important or controlling aspect or part
a society where Islamic principles predominate
Synonyms
prevail,
rule,
reign,
hold sway,
get the upper hand,
carry weight
Additional synonyms
in the sense of prevail
Definition
to be generally established
A similar situation prevails in America.
Synonyms
be widespread,
abound,
predominate,
be current,
be prevalent,
preponderate,
exist generally
in the sense of sovereignty
Definition
the position or authority of a sovereign
Concern to protect national sovereignty is far from new.
Synonyms
supreme power,
domination,
supremacy,
primacy,
sway,
ascendancy,
kingship,
suzerainty,
rangatiratanga (New Zealand)
in the sense of supremacy
Definition
the state or quality of being superior
The president asserted his supremacy over the prime minister.