Reign Meaning
/ɹeɪn/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe exercise of sovereign power.
nounThe period during which a monarch rules.
Sentence Examples
The English sovereign is generally said to reign but not rule.
I guess I'm always hoping that you'll end this reign.
By the end of his reign
CEFR Practice Quiz
The queen's ____ lasted for sixty years and brought great prosperity.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The queen's long ____ was marked by stability, prosperity, and significant social change.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English regnen, from Old French reignier, from the Latin verb rēgnō, and the noun rēgnum. Doublet of regnum. Displaced native Old English rīċe (“a reign”) and ricsian (“to reign”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Throughout history, no single dictator has successfully upheld their reign forever, no matter how powerful they seemed to be."
— 2020 December 6, Xin Yan, “The Seemingly Impossible Is Possible”, in Minghui:
"And the Fox guileful, and most covetous; / That neither pleased was, to have the reign / Twixt them divided into even twain"
— 1591, Ed[mund] Sp[enser], “Prosopopoia. Or Mother Hubberds Tale.”, in Complaints. Containing Sundrie Small Poemes of the Worlds Vanitie. […], London: […] William Ponsonbie, […], →OCLC:
"Both we will raigne as Conſuls of the earth,
And mightie kings ſhall be our Senators."
— c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act I, scene ii:
"The House of Piast reigned Poland from its foundation to 1385."
— 2007, Anna Chilewska, Writing after the gaze: the rupture of the historical:
"Silence reigned, broken only by the hideous screeching of vultures and the sound of a lawn-mower being used in the hospital grounds."
— 1936, F.J. Thwaites, The Redemption, Sydney: H. John Edwards Publishing, published 1940, page 58:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The queen's ____ lasted for sixty years and brought great prosperity.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The queen's long ____ was marked by stability, prosperity, and significant social change.