Main Entry: gov·ern

Pronunciation: \ˈgə-vərn\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French governer, from Latin gubernare to steer, govern, from Greek kybernan

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 a : to exercise continuous sovereign authority over; especially : to control and direct the making and administration of policy in b : to rule without sovereign power and usually without having the authority to determine basic policy
2 a archaic : manipulate b : to control the speed of (as a machine) especially by automatic means
3 a : to control, direct, or strongly influence the actions and conduct of b : to exert a determining or guiding influence in or over <income must govern expenditure> c : to hold in check : restrain
4 : to require (a word) to be in a certain case
5 : to serve as a precedent or deciding principle for <customs that govern human decisions>intransitive verb 1 : to prevail or have decisive influence : control
2 : to exercise authority

— gov·ern·able \-vər-nə-bəl\ adjective