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
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
1
: to prevail or have decisive influence : control
- In all situations allow reason to govern.
2
: to exercise authority
