subgovernment

noun

sub·gov·ern·ment | \ ˌsəb-ˈgə-vər(n)-mənt

, -və-mənt; -ˈgə-bᵊm-ənt, -vᵊm-\

variants: or sub-government

plural subgovernments or sub-governments

Definition of subgovernment

: a secondary or subordinate government : an informal or unofficial association of persons or institutions that exercises considerable influence on a formal government or organization It was an opportunity to enter the elite world of intellectuals and military men who form a subgovernment within the executive branch.— Neil Sheehan … a peek into the secret subgovernment of the Cold War.— Richard Reeves

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The first known use of subgovernment was in 1841

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