govern

[ guhv-ern ]

verb (used with object)

1. to rule over by right of authority:

   to govern a nation.

   Synonyms: reign

   Antonyms: obey

2. to exercise a directing or restraining influence over; guide:

   the motives governing a decision.

   Synonyms: superintend, supervise, conduct, influence, sway, control

3. to hold in check; control:

   to govern one's temper.

4. to serve as or constitute a law for:

   the principles governing a case.

5. 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.
6. to regulate the speed of (an engine) with a governor.

verb (used without object)

1. to exercise the function of government.
2. to have predominating influence.

govern

/ ˈɡʌvən /

verb

1. also intr to direct and control the actions, affairs, policies, functions, etc, of (a political unit, organization, nation, etc); rule
2. to exercise restraint over; regulate or direct

   to govern one's temper

3. to be a predominant influence on (something); decide or determine (something)

   his injury governed his decision to avoid sports

4. to control the speed of (an engine, machine, etc) using a governor
5. to control the rate of flow of (a fluid) by using an automatic valve
6. (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

• govern·a·ble adjective
• govern·a·bili·ty govern·a·ble·ness noun
• over·govern verb (used with object)
• re·govern verb (used with object)
• super·govern verb (used with object)
• un·governed adjective
• un·govern·ing adjective
• well-governed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of govern¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Old French gouverner, from Latin gubernāre “to steer (a ship),” from Greek kybernân “to steer”; cybernetics ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of govern¹

C13: from Old French gouverner, from Latin gubernāre to steer, from Greek kubernan

Synonym Study

See rule.

Example Sentences

“He’s got a big agenda,” McCarthy said, adding that Trump is better prepared to govern than he was eight years ago.

From Los Angeles Times

Folks, welcome to “running the government like a business” in the age of mass tech-industry layoffs and tyrannical bossism, as proposed by someone who himself was not elected to govern.

From Slate

The nomination of former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who resigned from Congress on Wednesday, is the clearest sign yet that Trump intends to govern as an authoritarian who will use all the levers of the state to harass his critics and avowed opponents.

From Salon

It’s a temporary grant of power to someone to govern for a period of time, within the constraints of the system, and then return power back to the people.

From Slate

“The consequences are severe… It would not be possible to be ready to govern on Day 1,” Stier shared.

From Salon

Related Words

• control
• curb
• decide
• determine
• dominate
• guide
• handle
• inhibit
• manage
• regulate
• rule