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

Other Word Forms

• governable adjective
• governability noun
• governableness noun
• overgovern verb (used with object)
• regovern verb (used with object)
• supergovern verb (used with object)
• ungoverned adjective
• ungoverning adjective
• well-governed 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

The EPA this year has also proposed rolling back more than 30 rules and regulations that govern air and water quality while simultaneously promoting oil and gas production.

From Los Angeles Times

India's top court has stayed key provisions of a controversial law that seeks to change how properties donated by Muslims and worth billions of dollars are governed, but refused to strike down the law entirely.

From BBC

The Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank and relies on foreign donors, used to help pay for repairs caused by Israeli military incursions.

From BBC

As a consequence, the president governed in constant fear of impeachment — a fate that had ended the careers of two prior Brazilian presidents since the country’s return to democracy in 1998.

From Los Angeles Times

International law is not set out in one place, nor is it governed by a central authority.

From BBC

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.