govern

verb

gov·​ern ˈgə-vərn 

governed; governing; governs

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

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

ˈgə-vər-nə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• boss
• captain
• command
• control
• preside (over)
• rule
• sway [archaic]

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 on the Web

World soccer’s governing body has been unable to convince fans or players that the tournament — a 32-team, month-long competition wedged between the end of one European season and the start of the next — was necessary, or even desired. —Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025

Keeping politics out of the game sounds like an entirely reasonable position for world football’s governing body to take. —Oliver Kay, New York Times, 20 June 2025

The policies align with state law and with the policy of the Connecticut Association of Schools’ governing body for interscholastic sports, CIAC, which seeks not to exclude students based on their gender identity. —Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025

Under pressure from corporate lobbyists, the EC has been discussing reshaping rules that govern how companies monitor and report their activity. —David Vetter, Fortune, 18 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

govern

verb

gov·​ern ˈgəv-ərn 

1

: to exercise authority over : rule

the queen governed wisely

2

: to control the speed of by automatic means

3

a

: to control, direct, or strongly influence the actions and conduct of

governed by his emotions

b

: to hold in check : restrain

our income governs our spending

4

: to require a word to be in a certain case or mood

in English a transitive verb governs a pronoun in the objective case

5

: to serve as a rule or law for

etiquette governing their behavior

governable

-ər-nə-bəl 

adjective

Legal Definition

govern

transitive verb

gov·​ern ˈgə-vərn 

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

governable

ˈgə-vər-nə-bəl 

adjective