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govern
[ guhv-ern ]
verb (used with object)
- to rule over by right of authority:
to govern a nation.
Synonyms: reign
Antonyms: obey
- to exercise a directing or restraining influence over; guide:
the motives governing a decision.
Synonyms: superintend, supervise, conduct, influence, sway, control
- to hold in check; control:
to govern one's temper.
- to serve as or constitute a law for:
the principles governing a case.
- Grammar. to be regularly accompanied by or require the use of (a particular form). In They helped us, the verb helped governs the objective case of the pronoun we.
- to regulate the speed of (an engine) with a governor.
verb (used without object)
- to exercise the function of government.
- to have predominating influence.
govern
/ ˈɡʌvən /
verb
- also intr to direct and control the actions, affairs, policies, functions, etc, of (a political unit, organization, nation, etc); rule
- to exercise restraint over; regulate or direct
to govern one's temper
- to be a predominant influence on (something); decide or determine (something)
his injury governed his decision to avoid sports
- to control the speed of (an engine, machine, etc) using a governor
- to control the rate of flow of (a fluid) by using an automatic valve
- (of a word) to determine the inflection of (another word)
Latin nouns govern adjectives that modify them
Derived Forms
- ˈgovernable, adjective
- ˌgovernaˈbility, noun
Other Words From
- govern·a·ble adjective
- govern·a·bili·ty govern·a·ble·ness noun
- over·govern verb (used with object)
- re·govern verb (used with object)
- super·govern verb (used with object)
- un·governed adjective
- un·govern·ing adjective
- well-governed adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of govern1
Word History and Origins
Origin of govern1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
Far-right allies of the prime minister have threatened to collapse his governing coalition if fighting does not resume in Gaza to achieve its war goal of crushing Hamas.
Never mind the insults the puerile president constantly dishes out, the demeaning nicknames he assigns — like “Newscum” — or the president’s heartless approach to governing.
Greenland governs its own domestic affairs, but decisions on foreign and defence policy are made in Copenhagen.
"It is incredibly important that the Government step in and start looking at the governance of the game, otherwise there will not be a game to govern," added Edward Morello, MP for West Dorset.
There has been for some time widespread concern within Formula 1 about the actions of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the president of governing body the FIA, and nothing over the winter has changed that.
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More About Govern
What does govern mean?
Govern means to rule over something with authority, as in In a democracy, people elect those who will govern them.
Govern can also mean to hold something in check, like your temper.
And govern can mean to act as a guiding force, as when your stomach governs your food choices.
Govern, meaning to rule over something, is almost always used to refer to government or politics, as in The president did his best to govern the country during the war. Presidents and prime ministers are examples of people who govern countries or nations. A person who governs something might be called a governor but is just as likely to be referred to by an official title.
Govern can also mean to control or curb something, as in The waiter wanted to shout at the rude customer but he managed to govern his anger.
Govern is also used to mean to restrain influence over something by acting as a guide, as in The lawyer always let his strong sense of justice govern his actions.
Example: Most voters were undecided who would be better at governing the country.
Where does govern come from?
The first records of govern come from around 1250. It ultimately comes from the Greek kybernân, meaning “to steer.” In a manner of speaking, a person who governs something guides its course or direction.
Govern is a synonym of words such rule, command, or lead. However, govern usually implies that the person is the head of an organized state or a just administration. When a person is said to govern, this often means that they lead a state or bureaucracy but almost always have limited power. By contrast, people such as kings, queens, emperors, and dictators who have most or all of the political power are often said to rule a nation rather than govern it.
Did you know … ?
What are some other forms related to govern?
- government (noun)
- governor (noun)
- governable (adjective)
- governability (noun)
- overgovern (verb)
What are some synonyms for govern?
What are some words that share a root or word element with govern?
What are some words that often get used in discussing govern?
How is govern used in real life?
Govern is a word that most often refers to the actions performed by a leader of a country or other organization.
I understand where you are coming from but yes it does. DC have no local representative thus no say on any laws that govern them and no extra rights that states grant their citizens. Plus they have a population bigger then some states
— TJ Lau (@Makoa_22) April 22, 2021
Money doesnt govern our actions, its not our king or our motivation
— DEMIC 🇩🇲🇺🇸 (@KingDemic) July 8, 2013
You cannot reap where you have not sown. A people you have disrespected and have governed poorly will not go all out to defend you against public ridicule.
— Dr. Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) March 27, 2020
Try using govern!
Which of the following people is most likely to govern something?
A. an electrician
B. a mayor
C. a police officer
D. a chef
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