reigning
reigning — adjective
- reigningpositive
- more reigningcomparative
- most reigningsuperlative
1. holding a championship title or top prize in a sport or contest at the present t
holding a championship title or top prize in a sport or contest at the present time
The reigning champion, Haruto Yamamoto, will defend his belt at the Tokyo Dome next month.
reigning champion — current title holder in sports
Henrik beat the reigning national chess champion in a stunning third-round upset.
As the reigning Olympic gold medallist, Shirin felt enormous pressure to repeat her success.
The reigning league winners opened the new season with a disappointing home defeat.
Gita watched the reigning world number one crash out of the tournament early.
文法句型
reigning + [title noun]
reigning — noun
1. the exercise of supreme authority by a king or queen over a nation and its peopl
the exercise of supreme authority by a king or queen over a nation and its people
Reigning for over six decades gave Queen Elizabeth a deep understanding of her changing nation.
reigning + for [duration] — gerund subject indicating royal rule
King Olav's reigning brought peace and order to a land that had known nothing but war.
The old king believed that reigning wisely meant listening far more than speaking.
Historians described her reigning as a golden age of art, science, and religious tolerance.
- sovereignty
stresses supreme and independent authority, often in legal or political contexts
- rule
broader; can refer to governance by any authority, not only a monarch
用法筆記
Equivalent to the noun 'reign,' which is far more common. 'Reigning' as a gerund noun appears mainly in formal or literary contexts.
常見錯誤
2. the condition of having dominant control or influence over an area or group, in
the condition of having dominant control or influence over an area or group, in a manner similar to a monarch's authority
The reigning of that powerful media baron over public opinion worried journalists and politicians alike.
reigning of + [person] + over — controlling influence like a monarch
Dmitri Volkov's reigning over the film industry lasted twenty years before fresh directors finally broke through.
The committee warned about the reigning of big technology firms over ordinary daily life.
Critics bemoaned the reigning of celebrity culture over serious journalism in the modern age.
文法句型
reigning of + [person/group] + over + [domain]
用法筆記
Distinguish from ROYAL RULE (sense 1): this sense describes influence that merely resembles monarchy, not actual royal authority.
3. the period during which a monarch holds power over a country
the period during which a monarch holds power over a country
During his reigning, the young emperor opened trade routes linking east to west.
during + [possessive] + reigning — period of a monarch's rule
Queen Beatriz's reigning was cut short by a sudden illness, lasting barely four years.
The reigning of King Imran saw the building of a grand temple that still stands.
Scholars compared the reigning of medieval rulers to find which policies brought the fastest progress.
- tenure
broader; used for any period in a position, not only royal rule
文法句型
during + [possessive] + reigning
用法筆記
Distinguish from ROYAL RULE (sense 1): sense 1 describes the act of ruling; this sense describes the time span. The common noun 'reign' is preferred in everyday English.
常見錯誤
reigning — verb
- reigningpresent simple I / you / we / they
- reignings3rd person singular
- reigninging-ing form
- reigningedpast simple
1. ruling a country as its monarch, holding the highest governing authority over th
ruling a country as its monarch, holding the highest governing authority over the land
King Jabari, reigning since his father's death, was deeply loved by his mountain people.
reigning over + [kingdom] — ruling as a monarch with full authority
The emperor spent thirty years reigning with an iron fist, rarely listening to any advisor.
Reigning during a time of war, the young queen had to make terrible decisions alone.
The ageing king, still reigning at ninety-two, had outlived everyone he grew up with.
- serve
implies being under authority rather than holding it
文法句型
reigning over + [country/people]
用法筆記
Distinguish from CEREMONIAL HEAD (sense 2): this sense describes a monarch with real governing power, not merely a symbolic role.
2. serving as the official head of a nation in a ceremonial role, without holding r
serving as the official head of a nation in a ceremonial role, without holding real political power
Japan's emperor, reigning as a national symbol, holds no political power.
reigning as + [role] — ceremonial head without political power
Reigning in a modern constitutional monarchy, King Haruto left all lawmaking to the elected parliament.
Queen Ingrid was reigning as head of state yet held no authority over the country.
The young prince knew that reigning today meant ceremony and duty, not control.
- figurehead
a person who holds a title but lacks real power; 'reigning' stresses the ongoing ceremonial role
文法句型
reigning as + [title]
reigning but not ruling
用法筆記
Distinguish from SOVEREIGN RULE (sense 1): this sense describes a monarch whose role is mostly symbolic, common in constitutional monarchies. The monarch 'reigns but does not rule.'
3. exercising absolute power or control over a domain or group in a way that resemb
exercising absolute power or control over a domain or group in a way that resembles how a king or queen rules
Reigning over the boardroom like a monarch, the chairperson refused to hear any opposing views.
reigning over + [place] + like a monarch — exercising absolute authority
The head chef, reigning over her kitchen with total authority, demanded perfection from every cook.
The editor had been reigning over the newsroom for years, deciding every front-page story.
The old professor was still reigning over the department, blocking every single proposal for reform.
文法句型
reigning over + [domain/group]
用法筆記
Distinguish from SOVEREIGN RULE (sense 1): this sense describes authority that is LIKE a monarch's, held by someone who is not actually royalty. Often carries a negative tone of excessive control.
4. being the most noticeable, widespread, or powerful force in a particular situati
being the most noticeable, widespread, or powerful force in a particular situation or place
Silence was reigning in the courtroom as everyone waited for the judge to speak.
[abstract state] + was reigning — silence as the dominant condition
Confusion had been reigning on the factory floor after the new manager changed everything.
Chaos was reigning at the airport after the computers failed and flights were cancelled.
Fear had been reigning in the village for months as the floods kept rising.
- prevail
similar meaning but more formal; 'prevail' often implies overcoming opposition
- predominate
formal; stresses being greater in number or influence than others
文法句型
[abstract state] + is/was + reigning
reigning supreme
用法筆記
Subject is usually an abstract state such as silence, chaos, confusion, or fear. 'Reigning supreme' is a common fixed phrase for this sense.