governance
Americannoun
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government, control, or authority
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the action, manner, or system of governing
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of governance
1325–75; Middle English governaunce < Old French < Medieval Latin gubernantia; see govern, -ance
Explanation
You've heard of governors and government, and governance is related. It’s the nuts and bolts of how towns or states or countries operate, and it can also apply to companies. Corporate governance is how large companies are organized and run. Governments use the powers you give it to pass laws and enforce them, fix your roads, collect taxes — all those things you can’t do alone — and the act of doing that is called governance. Corporations have their own sort of government — they're run by boards of directors who tackle issues of governance, making sure the company is run responsibly. Scholars study theories of governance — ideas about how society should be organized to benefit everyone.
Vocabulary lists containing governance
100 SAT Words Beginning with "G"
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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
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Content Summary 5.6: Reactions to Imperialism
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Many will lose their capital and will wonder if they should have paid more attention to corporate governance.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
Many are led by individuals with strong personalities—a necessary quality in start-ups, many would argue—but an undesirable one, from a governance point of view, for firms launching IPOs at historic valuations.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
Universities should review governance controversies and donor communications.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026
Value-Up program,, a government-led initiative to raise governance standards and better protect minority shareholders.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026
Neither do I wish that it be thought presumptuous if a man of low and inferior social condition dares to examine and lay down rules for the governance of princes.
From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
