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
Government
: the executive branch of the U.S. federal government
c
Government
: 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 see also student government
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
c
: the particular system for or character of the governing authority of a political unit
a democratic/representative government
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
gov·ern·men·tal·ize
-ed/-ing/-s
: to subject to the regulation or control of a government
the Federal government's effort to governmentalize medicine—
Raymond Moley
Raymond MoleySynonyms of government
Examples of government in a Sentence
Noun
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
Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
His approach is straightforward and fact-based, utilizing footage from congressional hearings and press conferences, along with interviews with retired military and government officials, to lend an air of legitimacy to the subject.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 13 June 2026
Mackinac National Park was established in 1875, but was deemed too expensive for the national government to maintain, so custody was later transferred to the state of Michigan, and has since become Mackinac Island State Park.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
As a result, the Navajo became economically dependent upon government subsidies.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for government
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The government recently announced another recruitment drive, offering to pay off debts of up to $140,000 for men who sign up and might otherwise face penalties for defaulting.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
His approach is straightforward and fact-based, utilizing footage from congressional hearings and press conferences, along with interviews with retired military and government officials, to lend an air of legitimacy to the subject.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 13 June 2026
Mackinac National Park was established in 1875, but was deemed too expensive for the national government to maintain, so custody was later transferred to the state of Michigan, and has since become Mackinac Island State Park.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
As a result, the Navajo became economically dependent upon government subsidies.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for government
Cite this Entry
“Government.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/government. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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