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History vocabulary · Empires, States and Rulers

Regency

Meaning in history, with examples

nounCommon term

In history, regency means: Government exercised on behalf of a monarch who cannot personally rule, for example because of age or absence.

In Turkish: naiplik, naiplik dönemi

How it is used

A regent governs for the monarch; a regency does not itself transfer the crown.

Example sentences

  1. The queen's minority required a regency led by several senior officials.

    Authority is exercised for a ruler who already holds the title.

  2. During the king's absence, the regency issued orders in his name.

    Absence can occasion delegated royal government as well as childhood.

Common collocations

  • regency council
  • establish a regency
  • monarchyA system of government in which a king, queen, emperor or other hereditary ruler is head of state, or a country governed in this way.
  • reignThe period during which a king, queen, emperor or sultan rules; as a verb, to rule as a monarch.

More terms: Empires, States and Rulers

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