govern

verb

gov·​ern ˈgə-vərn How to pronounce govern (audio)
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 adjective

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 Tanaka, 27, also played for Japan at U16, U17 and U18 levels, according to her profile on international governing body FIBA’s website. David Close, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 Ledesma was a longtime member of the school board; Miner became a key addition in 2022, bringing strategic assertiveness and an important vote to a burgeoning, religiously conservative governing philosophy. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 But a rigged contest marks the death of democracy and renders all the other essential pillars irrelevant, because the people no longer have a meaningful say over who governs. Brian Klaas, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2024 More on Britain Under Fire: Britain’s governing Conservative Party came under pressure to return more than 10 million pounds to a donor who had allegedly made racist remarks about Diane Abbott, the first Black woman to be elected to Parliament. Mark Landler, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 The world’s first major set of regulatory rules to govern artificial intelligence, the AI Act provides a legal framework for the development and use of artificial intelligence within Europe, calling for greater transparency as well as setting parameters for high-risk AI. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024 And that’s why, according to genuine medical professionals, there’s no governing body for things like teaching a baby to sleep. Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2024 Though federal regulators recently moved to loosen the regulations governing OTPs, even clinics attempting to provide convenient, compassionate care are still constricted by federal and local policy. Lev Facher, STAT, 12 Mar. 2024 The committee also disqualified Sass without explanation, other than pointing to a rule governing personal and professional conduct, and race officials refused to discuss it during a media briefing ahead of the race. CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'govern.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of govern was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near govern

Cite this Entry

“Govern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/govern. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

govern

verb
gov·​ern ˈgəv-ərn How to pronounce govern (audio)
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 adjective

Legal Definition

govern

transitive verb
gov·​ern ˈgə-vərn How to pronounce govern (audio)
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 substitutesW. 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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on govern

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