I. ˈrān noun
Etymology: Middle English regne, from Anglo-French, from Latin regnum, from reg-, rex king — more at royal
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : royal authority : sovereignty
under the reign of the Stuart kings
b. : the dominion, sway, or influence of one resembling a monarch
the reign of the Puritan ministers
2. : the time during which one (as a sovereign) reigns
II. intransitive verb
Date: 14th century
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 reign s but does not rule
2. : to exercise authority in the manner of a monarch
3. : to be predominant or prevalent
chaos reign ed in the classroom