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Definition of govern
transitive verb
1a : 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
2a archaic : manipulateb : to control the speed of (a machine) especially by automatic means
3a : to control, direct, or strongly influence the actions and conduct ofb : to exert a determining or guiding influence in or over income must govern expenditurec : 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
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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
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Three years later, an Associated Press investigation found that Bambino Gesu (Baby Jesus) Pediatric Hospital did indeed shift its focus in ways big and small under its past administration, which governed from 2008 to 2015.
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This has hurt the executive-legislature relationship, hindered governing effectiveness and directly dragged down our economic and social progress.
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Baum and Kerr hope the long-overdue appointment of a national science adviser will eventually nudge the governing Liberals toward implementing new funding policies.
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Elder Quentin L. Cook, a member of the church’s governing council, said that with the new policy in place, LDS is looking to serve as an example.
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History suggests that presidents who have governed successfully have been both revered and feared.
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According to a company operating agreement, such a lawsuit would have to be approved by a unanimous vote of the governing board.
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The strict rules governing the budget reconciliation process, which McConnell plans to use to avoid a Democratic filibuster, create a separate set of problems.
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The strict rules governing the budget reconciliation process, which McConnell plans to use to avoid a Democratic filibuster, also create their own problems.
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
GOVERN Defined for English Language Learners
govern
playDefinition of govern for English Language Learners
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: to officially control and lead (a group of people) : to make decisions about laws, taxes, social programs, etc., for (a country, state, etc.)
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: to control the way that (something) is done
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: to control or guide the actions of (someone or something)
GOVERN Defined for Kids
Law Dictionary
govern
playLegal Definition of govern
1 : to exercise continuous sovereign authority over; especially : to control and direct the administration of policy in
2 : to exert a determining or guiding influence in or over the testator's assets are governed by will substitutes — W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.
3 : to serve as a precedent or deciding principle for the law governing bills of lading United States v. Leon governs the case at bar
Learn More about govern
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for govern Spanish Central: Translation of govern Nglish: Translation of govern for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of govern for Arabic speakers
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