Definition of "reign" in English

noun

1. The exercise of sovereign power.

   • England prospered under Elizabeth I's reign.

2. The period during which a monarch rules.

   • The reign of Victoria was a long one.

3. The territory or sphere over which a kingdom; empire; realm; dominion, etc. is ruled.

verb

1. (intransitive) To exercise sovereign power, to rule as a monarch.

   • He reigned in an autocratic manner.

2. (transitive, rare, nonstandard) To reign over (a country)

3. To be the winner of the most recent iteration of a competition.

4. To be a dominant quality of a place or situation; to prevail, predominate, rule.

   • Silence reigned.