Reign (rān), n. [OE. regne, OF. reigne, regne, F. règne, fr. L. regnum, fr. rex, regis, a king, fr. regere to guide, rule. See Regal, Regimen.] 1. Royal authority; supreme power; sovereignty; rule; dominion.
He who like a father held his reign. Pope.
Saturn's sons received the threefold reign
Of heaven, of ocean, and deep hell beneath. Prior.
2. The territory or sphere which is reigned over; kingdom; empire; realm; dominion. Spenser.
him bereft the regne that he had. Chaucer.
3. The time during which a king, queen, or emperor possesses the supreme authority; as, it happened in the reign of Elizabeth.