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

An emperor or king who rules not by the consent of the governed, but by divine right.

From Salon

R360 has a parallel rebel plan to set up the event without World Rugby's ratification, if it cannot convince the governing body's member unions to approve it.

From BBC

Football's world governing body had fined and suspended the players in late September and on Monday released a report justifying its action.

From BBC

Anna Turley MP, chair of the governing Labour Party, criticised the opposition politician, saying his comments reduced "people to the colour of their skin".

From BBC

A little-known provision of US military law governs the president's authority to deploy the National Guard on his own.

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.