1. a historical title for a ruler or governor of the Ottoman Empire, especially in North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, Tripoli).
Usage: historical; often capitalized when referring to a specific ruler

Examples

• The Dey of Algiers was a powerful Ottoman official in the 17th century.
• European powers negotiated treaties with the dey to secure trade routes.
• The dey's authority extended over the coastal regions of North Africa.
• In 1830, French forces conquered Algiers and ended the rule of the dey.