government
noun
gov·ern·ment
ˈgə-vər(n)-mənt 
-və-mənt;
ˈgə-bᵊm-ənt,
-vᵊm-
often attributive
1
: the body of persons that constitutes the governing authority of a political unit or organization: such as
a
: the officials comprising the governing body of a political unit and constituting the organization as an active agency
The government was slow to react to the crisis.
b
capitalized
: the executive branch of the U.S. federal government
c
capitalized
: a small group of persons holding simultaneously the principal political executive offices of a nation or other political unit and being responsible for the direction and supervision of public affairs:
(1)
(2)
: such a group in a parliamentary system constituted by the cabinet or by the ministry
2
a
: the organization, machinery, or agency through which a political unit exercises authority and performs functions and which is usually classified according to the distribution of power within it
She works for the federal government.
b
: the complex of political institutions, laws, and customs through which the function of governing is carried out
3
: the act or process of governing
specifically
: authoritative direction or control
4
: the continuous exercise of authority over and the performance of functions for a political unit : rule
5
: political science
studied economics and government
6
a
: the office, authority, or function of governing
b
obsolete
: the term during which a governing official holds office
7
obsolete
: moral conduct or behavior : discretion
Synonyms
Examples of government in a Sentence
The government has been slow to react to the crisis.
She works for the federal government.
We need to improve relations with foreign governments.
He is a firm believer in democratic government.
We learned about different methods of government.
The country has been damaged by many years of weak government.
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Recent Examples on the Web
In September, Congress reached a last-minute deal to fund the government through Nov. 17 just hours before it was set to shutdown.
—
Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 15 Nov. 2023
Johnson's proposal to temporarily fund the government into the new year passed on a bipartisan 336-95 tally, but 93 Republicans voted against it.
—Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 15 Nov. 2023
Politics With a Tuesday vote to keep the government funded, Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson became the latest House GOP speaker to require Democratic help — the same move that cost Kevin McCarthy his job.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 15 Nov. 2023
So far this year, 145,000 migrants have arrived in Italy by sea — piled into smugglers’ boats unfit for sea voyage — compared to 88,000 during the same period last year, according to government figures.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 15 Nov. 2023
Red tape and slow processes shroud government work.
—WIRED, 15 Nov. 2023
Despite staunch conservative opposition, the House passed Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-LA) two-step continuing resolution to keep the government funded just days before the shutdown deadline, sending it to the Senate, which is expected to pass the bill.
—Reese Gorman, Washington Examiner, 14 Nov. 2023
The former Soviet state has relied on U.S. funding to keep its government operational as Russia attempts to bludgeon its economy.
—Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2023
The speaker of the House is supporting a continuing resolution to fund the government at current spending levels for a few months.
—The Editors, National Review, 14 Nov. 2023
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Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 15 Nov. 2023
Johnson's proposal to temporarily fund the government into the new year passed on a bipartisan 336-95 tally, but 93 Republicans voted against it.
—Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 15 Nov. 2023
Politics With a Tuesday vote to keep the government funded, Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson became the latest House GOP speaker to require Democratic help — the same move that cost Kevin McCarthy his job.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 15 Nov. 2023
So far this year, 145,000 migrants have arrived in Italy by sea — piled into smugglers’ boats unfit for sea voyage — compared to 88,000 during the same period last year, according to government figures.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 15 Nov. 2023
Red tape and slow processes shroud government work.
—WIRED, 15 Nov. 2023
Despite staunch conservative opposition, the House passed Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-LA) two-step continuing resolution to keep the government funded just days before the shutdown deadline, sending it to the Senate, which is expected to pass the bill.
—Reese Gorman, Washington Examiner, 14 Nov. 2023
The former Soviet state has relied on U.S. funding to keep its government operational as Russia attempts to bludgeon its economy.
—Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2023
The speaker of the House is supporting a continuing resolution to fund the government at current spending levels for a few months.
—The Editors, National Review, 14 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'government.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing government
Dictionary Entries Near government
Cite this Entry
“Government.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/government. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
government
noun
gov·ern·ment
ˈgəv-ər(n)-mənt
ˈgəb-ᵊm-ənt,
ˈgəv-mənt
1
a
: the act or process of governing
especially
: direction of a political unit
b
: the making of policy as distinguished from the administration of policy decisions
2
a
: the agency through which a political unit exercises authority
b
: manner of governing : the institutions, laws, and customs through which a political unit is governed
republican government
3
a
: the officials making up the governing body of a political unit
b
capitalized
: the executive branch of the U.S. federal government
Legal Definition
government
noun
gov·ern·ment
ˈgə-vər-mənt, -vərn-
1
: the act or process of governing
specifically
: authoritative direction or control
2
: the office, authority, or function of governing
3
: the continuous exercise of authority over and the performance of functions for a political unit : rule
4
a
: the organization, machinery, or agency through which a political unit exercises authority and performs functions and which is usually classified according to the distribution of power within it
b
: the complex of political institutions, laws, and customs through which the function of governing is carried out
5
: the body of persons that constitutes the governing authority of a political unit or organization: as
a
: the officials comprising the governing body of a political unit and constituting the organization as an active agency
b
capitalized
: the executive branch of the U.S. federal government
c
: the prosecution in a criminal case in its capacity as agents of the political unit
the government failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt
governmental
adjective
governmentally
adverb
More from Merriam-Webster on government
Nglish: Translation of government for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of government for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about government
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