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

• ˌgovernaˈbility, noun
• ˈgovernable, adjective

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

When the existing Republican Party has been reduced to political rubble, those who do not have a home in the Democratic Party can clear away the rubble, find a governing philosophy and develop a constituency.

From Washington Post

The upfront philosophy is governed by wanting to create lifetime value relationships with clients.

From Digiday

“We need to unite for us to take the majority and govern,” McCarthy told the gathering, according to a lawmaker in the room.

From Washington Post

One of his attorneys, David Moyse, said Tuesday that, at the time of the assault, his client was governed by broader issues connected with years of alcohol abuse.

From Washington Post

Federal health privacy laws don’t govern a lot of biometric data collected by teams, legal experts say.

From Washington Post

“We restored our brand, showed we could govern, we took the temperature down,” says Feehery.

From The Daily Beast

“The NTC pretends to govern, but it doesn't have any real power in the interior,” Tombstone tells him.

From The Daily Beast

We think he will govern better for the Iraqi people and we will be able to work with him.

From The Daily Beast

We think he will govern more inclusively and govern more with an eye with what is better for Iraq than the current situation.

From The Daily Beast

By jumping into the race, Lewis could force Emanuel to govern to the left to fend off her attacks.

From The Daily Beast

It is true that such application is not so high or grand as when they govern ideas, but it is equally genuine.

From Project Gutenberg

Those who really count in a nation and those who govern its destinies for good or ill are those who are born in it.

From Project Gutenberg

As the valve V1 is open, the sound waves formed in the pipe P1 will govern the speed of vibration of the motor M.

From Project Gutenberg

Let modesty and kind feeling govern your conversation, as other rules of life.

From Project Gutenberg

All agree that the intention of the parties should govern, but differ as to intention expressed in the words they have used.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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

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?

• rule
• manage
• oversee
• control
• influence
• inhibit

What are some words that share a root or word element with govern? 

• government
• governor
• governance

What are some words that often get used in discussing govern?

• politics
• president
• prime minister
• chancellor
• leader
• manager

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