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.
In the history of economics and business, this is an entirely new phenomenon, one that will bring new challenges for corporate governance.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
Our institutions are grounded in constitutional governance, the rule of law and the freely expressed will of our citizens.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
The arrival of new and fast-growing private companies comes at a time when corporate governance in the U.S. is at a low ebb.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
He told parliament that the party was in talks with UK tax authorities to ensure it "delivers the highest levels of financial governance".
From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026
No matter where they were, Indigenous peoples’ governance was based on valuing what was best for the community over the needs or preferences of individuals.
From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
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.
