govern

verb gov·ern \ ˈgə-vərn \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of govern

1 a : to exercise continuous sovereign authority over; especially : to control and direct the making and administration of policy in

The country was governed by a king.

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 (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

was told to govern her emotions

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

In all situations allow reason to govern.

2 : to exercise authority

—

governable

play \ˈgə-vər-nə-bəl\ adjective

See govern defined for English-language learners

See govern defined for kids

Examples of govern in a Sentence

The tribe is governed by a 10-member council.
They want to form their own country and govern themselves.
The scandal limited her ability to govern effectively.
How would he govern if he were elected president?
She suggested changing the state's laws governing the sale of alcohol.
The council governs fishing in the region.
We will be studying the forces that govern the Earth's climate.
Tradition governs all aspects of their lives.
He allows himself to be governed by his emotions.

Recent Examples of govern from the Web

The proposed law would expand upon current law governing the requirements for creating school crisis management and response plans.

— wilborn p. nobles iii, NOLA.com, "Louisiana House passes bill requiring schools to notify parents of threats," 12 Apr. 2018
Immigration reform is a catchall term for changes or attempts to change laws governing immigrants and immigration.

— NBC News, "What is immigration reform?," 9 Apr. 2018
Now officials from counties and towns across Maryland are pushing the General Assembly to change the laws governing the auction system to help them combat blight in communities from the Eastern Shore to Garrett County in Western Maryland.

— ian duncan, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland towns and counties seek new rights to seize vacant properties," 3 Apr. 2018
As SiriusXM knows too well, current federal law governing the digital use of sound recordings has an enormous loophole which SiriusXM relied on to stop paying artists who recorded prior to 1972.

— michael huppe, Billboard, "Michael Huppe: It's Time for SiriusXM to Get Serious About Paying Music Creators (Guest Op-Ed)," 2 Apr. 2018
The Jackson County Legislature will have at least three and as many as seven new members when the nine-person governing body starts its new term next January.

— mike hendricks, kansascity, "Shakeup coming to Jackson County legislature as election field is set | The Kansas City Star," 29 Mar. 2018
Maintaining the trimmings of simplicity is important for the 100 or so homeowner-shareholders, each of whom also have stake in the Mustique Company, the de facto governing body on the island.

— dan q. dao, GQ, "Your Guide to Mustique, the Private Caribbean Island Where You Can Stay in David Bowie's Former Villa," 25 Mar. 2018
The medical marijuana dispensary business is a very competitive market because of its high profitability margin combined with laws governing where dispensaries are allowed within a city’s boundaries.

— karen pearlman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "La Mesa planners OK two medical marijuana shops," 23 Mar. 2018
Party rules mandate that women make up at least 40% of every governing body and that each is headed by a man and a woman.

— The Economist, "Where the fighters are femaleA short history of Kurdish women on the front lines," 22 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'govern.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of govern

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

govern Synonyms

GOVERN Defined for English Language Learners

govern

verb

Definition of govern for English Language Learners

: to officially control and lead (a group of people) : to make decisions about laws, taxes, social programs, etc., for (a country, state, etc.)
: to control the way that (something) is done
: to control or guide the actions of (someone or something)