Definition of govern
transitive verb
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
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
