reagan

reagan — noun

1. Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989, who wa

1.nounB1
Definition

Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989, who was a Hollywood actor before entering politics and who promoted lower taxes, a smaller federal government, and a strong military stance against the Soviet Union.

Example

Ronald Reagan was elected president in 1980 and served two full terms.

subject is a historical figure in political context

Before he became governor of California, Reagan worked as a film actor in Hollywood.

past career before politics

Common collocations
  • Reagan administration
  • Reagan era
  • Reaganomics
  • Reagan Democrat
  • President Reagan
  • under Reagan

Usage Note

Reagan is a proper noun and is always capitalized. In political discussions, the name is often used to refer not only to the man but also to the policies and ideology of his administration (e.g. 'the Reagan era', 'Reaganomics').

Common Mistakes

Reagen was the 40th president.
Reagan was the 40th president.
The surname is spelled R-E-A-G-A-N, not R-E-A-G-E-N.
President Reagan was an actor which turned into a politician.
President Reagan was an actor who later became a politician.
Use 'who' for people, not 'which'.

Word family

  • Reaganomics
    nounC1
  • Reaganite
    nounC1
  • Reaganism
    nounC2

Etymology

Irish GaelicEnglish

The surname Reagan comes from the Irish Gaelic name Ó Riagáin, meaning 'descendant of Riagán.' Riagán is a personal name thought to derive from riag, meaning 'impulsive' or 'little king.' The name became widely known through Ronald Reagan, the 40th U.S. president.