Definition

1. Noun:

   • The period of rule of a monarch: The time during which a particular king, queen, or emperor holds sovereign power.
   • The exercise of sovereign power or authority: The dominion, control, or influence wielded by a ruler.
   • A period of dominance or widespread influence: A time during which a particular person, thing, or quality is the most powerful or prevalent.

2. Verb:

   • To hold and exercise sovereign power: To rule as a monarch.
   • To be predominant or prevalent: To be the most powerful, widespread, or noticeable element in a particular situation.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The reign of Queen Victoria was a period of great industrial change.
  • During his reign, the king implemented many new laws.
  • A reign of terror gripped the city after the coup.

• Verb:

  • Queen Elizabeth II reigned for over seventy years.
  • Chaos reigned in the streets after the announcement.
  • In this company, common sense does not always reign supreme.

Advanced Usage

• "to reign supreme": To be the dominant or most important force; to be unchallenged.

  • In matters of fashion, personal style should reign supreme.

• "a reign of terror": A period of brutal violence or intimidation by those in power.

  • The dictator's rule was characterized by a reign of terror.

Variants and Related Words

• Reigning (adj): Currently ruling or dominant.
  • She is the reigning champion of the tournament.

Synonyms

• Noun: Rule, sovereignty, dominion, regime, tenure.
• Verb: Rule, govern, prevail, dominate, predominate.

Related Phrases

• "to reign in": This is a common misspelling or confusion with the phrasal verb "to rein in", which means to restrain or control. The word "reign" itself is not typically used in phrasal verbs.
  • Correct: The king tried to rein in spending. (Not "reign in").

Related Idioms

• "The king reigns but does not govern": A saying indicating that a monarch may hold ceremonial power while others handle the actual administration.
• "A reign of error": A humorous or critical play on "reign of terror," indicating a period marked by many mistakes.

Noun

1. royal authority; the dominion of a monarch
2. the period during which a monarch is sovereign
   • during the reign of Henry VIII
3. a period during which something or somebody is dominant or powerful
   • he was helpless under the reign of his egotism

Verb

1. be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
   • Money reigns supreme here
   • Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood
2. have sovereign power
   • Henry VIII reigned for a long time