reign

The time during which a king or queen rules a country.

• The king's reign lasted twenty years.
• Several wars broke out during her reign.
• When did the new queen's reign begin?

How to use it: reign of someone (The palace was built during the reign of the queen.)

Common phrases: long reign, during someone's reign

A king or queen's use of power to govern a country.

• The queen's reign brought peace to the country.
• His reign over the kingdom faced strong opposition.
• Royal laws shaped daily life under her reign.

How to use it: reign over something (The king's reign over the islands was challenged.)

Similar words: rule, sovereignty, dominion

Common phrases: under someone's reign, absolute reign

The time during which one ruling family controls a country.

• The dynasty's reign lasted three centuries.
• A foreign invasion ended the ruling family's reign.
• Many temples were built during the reign of that dynasty.

How to use it: reign of a dynasty (Trade grew during the reign of the dynasty.)

Similar words: rule, ascendancy

Common phrases: dynasty's reign, reign of something

To rule a country as its king or queen.

• The queen reigned for fifty years.
• Who reigned before this king?
• Her family has reigned over the country for centuries.

How to use it: reign over something (The queen reigned over a large kingdom.); reign as king/queen (He reigned as king for thirty years.)

Similar words: rule

Common phrases: reign over something, reign as king, reign for years, reign as queen

If a feeling or condition controls a place, it is stronger or more noticeable than anything else there.

• Silence reigned in the room.
• Chaos reigns whenever the manager leaves.
• For a few peaceful hours, calm reigned throughout the village.

Similar words: prevail, dominate, predominate

Common phrases: silence reign, chaos reign, reign supreme