Interregnum

Quick meaning: Interregnum is a noun meaning A period of time between the end of one monarch's reign and the accession of their successor.

Meaning

A period of time between the end of one monarch's reign and the accession of their successor.

More Meanings

1. A break in continuity; a gap, an intermission.
2. A period of time between when a minister or pastor leaves a church and when a new one is installed.
3. A period of time between the end of one political leader's term and the start of the term of their successor; a period of time during which normal executive leadership is interrupted or suspended, and a polity is either left without leadership or has only a temporary one.
4. (obsolete) A temporary exercise of authority or rule during a period of time when there is no monarch or political leader.

Example Sentences

The Sasanian Interregnum of 628–632

Darker questions still emerge in these dusky final weeks of our interregnum.

Another element leading to the quick-out-of-the-gate second Trump term took place during the four-year interregnum of President Joe Biden.

Between the end of the Fowler régime in 1931 and the advent of Stanier in 1932, there was a short interregnum during which Ernest Lemon was in charge, with Ernest Beames as his principal aide-de-camp.

Word Forms

• interregnums
• interregna

Synonyms for interregnum

Depending on context, synonyms include hiatus, interval, moratorium, pause, recess, break.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include break, gap, interim, interval, interlapse, while.

Related Dictionary Tools