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

What seems at first like willy-nilly playfulness is actually carefully ordered design inspired by the rule of thirds, a governing aesthetic principle of fine arts that subdivides a canvas or object into nine equal parts along two horizontal and two vertical lines. —Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2024

Once the Taliban regained power, some of its first governing actions were to diminish the rights of women throughout Afghanistan, taking away their ability to be educated beyond sixth grade, to keep an occupation, and to even walk unaccompanied in public. —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2024

Advertisement Qatar, like other Gulf Arab states, is ruled by a hereditary leader with ultimate say in how the country is governed. —Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024

In addition to learning your new job, there are unspoken rules that govern the office. —Ruth Oh Reitmeier, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024

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