interregnum

noun

in·​ter·​reg·​num ˌin-tə-ˈreg-nəm How to pronounce interregnum (audio)
plural interregnums or interregna ˌin-tə-ˈreg-nə How to pronounce interregnum (audio)
1
: the time during which a throne is vacant between two successive reigns or regimes
2
: a period during which the normal functions of government or control are suspended
3
: a lapse or pause in a continuous series

Did you know?

Every time a pope dies, there's an interregnum period before a new one is elected by the cardinals. In most democratic systems, however, the law specifies who should take office when a president or prime minister dies unexpectedly, and since the power usually passes automatically, there's no true interregnum. The question of succession—that is, of who should take over when a country's leader dies—has often presented huge problems for countries that lacked a constitution, and in monarchies it hasn't always been clear who should become king or queen when a monarch dies. The interregnum following the death of Edward VI in 1553, for instance, was briefly suspended when Lady Jane Grey was installed as Queen; nine days later she was replaced by Mary Tudor, who sent her straight to the Tower of London.

Examples of interregnum in a Sentence

the democratic regime proved to be a short-lived interregnum between dictatorships
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Project 2025, a conservative policy blueprint published during the Trump interregnum, outlined many of these changes. Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Feb. 2025 By Marc-William Palen / Made by History February 6, 2025 7:30 AM EST President Donald Trump has spent much of the interregnum, and now his first weeks back in office, threatening American allies in one way or another, with Canada among the countries taking the most fire. Marc-William Palen / Made By History, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025 Once the Biden-Trump interregnum is over, the Kremlin should not expect Trump 2.0 will be an easy ride. Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 6 Dec. 2024 Most important, the evening felt like an exciting and risky experiment at an institution that has otherwise steered a conservative line during this interregnum season without a music director. Corinna Da Fonseca-Wollheim, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for interregnum 

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from inter- + regnum reign — more at reign

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of interregnum was in 1590

Dictionary Entries Near interregnum

Cite this Entry

“Interregnum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interregnum. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

interregnum

noun
in·​ter·​reg·​num ˌint-ə-ˈreg-nəm How to pronounce interregnum (audio)
plural interregnums or interregna -nə How to pronounce interregnum (audio)
: a period between two successive reigns or regimes

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