government

noun

gov·​ern·​ment ˈgə-vər(n)-mənt How to pronounce government (audio)
-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:
(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
governmental adjective
governmentalize transitive verb
governmentally adverb

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.
Recent Examples on the Web That's in keeping with an agreement that former Speaker Kevin McCarthy worked out with the White House, which restricted spending for two years and suspended the debt ceiling into January 2025 so the federal government could continue paying its bills. Kevin Freking, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024 Turkey routinely carries out drone strikes in Somalia in support of Somali government forces. Mohamed Gabobe, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024 Some scrutiny for the project has also centered on claims of the Chinese government having influence over Gotion, although the company has denied these claims. Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 19 Mar. 2024 Although no one has ever been convicted under the 1799 Logan Act, Wallace’s talks with Gromyko severely tested its prohibition against U.S. citizens engaging in unauthorized negotiations with foreign governments. Benn Steil, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2024 Aid workers and government officials say a pattern has emerged of Israeli obstruction, where Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the agency that controls access to Gaza, has imposed arbitrary and contradictory criteria on relief entering the enclave. Helen Regan, CNN, 19 Mar. 2024 That mandate covers fleets with more than 50 vehicles or annual revenue over $50 million; state, local and federal government fleets; and trucks that haul freight in and out of seaports. Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 Isabella Maria DeLuca was arrested last Friday in Irvine, California, on misdemeanor charges, including theft of government property, disorderly conduct and entering a restricted area. Michael Kunzelman, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2024 Eventually, international governments like the U.S. got involved in the negotiations, including former President Bill Clinton, who helped to build momentum in the nearly two-year-long negotiation process. Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Mar. 2024

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

Etymology

see govern

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of government was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near government

Cite this Entry

“Government.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/government. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

government

noun
gov·​ern·​ment ˈgəv-ər(n)-mənt How to pronounce government (audio)
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
4
government adjective
governmental adjective
governmentally adverb

Legal Definition

government

noun
gov·​ern·​ment ˈgə-vər-mənt, -vərn- How to pronounce government (audio)
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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!