govern

[ guhv-ern ]

/ ˈgʌv ərn /

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See synonyms for: govern / governed / governing / governs on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to rule over by right of authority: to govern a nation.

to exercise a directing or restraining influence over; guide: the motives governing a decision.

to hold in check; control: to govern one's temper.

to serve as or constitute a law for: the principles governing a case.

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.

to regulate the speed of (an engine) with a governor.

verb (used without object)

to exercise the function of government.

to have predominating influence.

OTHER WORDS FOR govern

1 reign.

2 control, sway, influence, conduct, supervise, superintend.

See synonyms for govern on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR govern

1 obey.

See antonyms for govern on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

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Origin of govern

1250–1300; Middle English <Old French gouverner<Latin gubernāre to steer (a ship) <Greek kybernân to steer

synonym study for govern

1. See rule.

OTHER WORDS FROM govern

gov·ern·a·ble, adjectivegov·ern·a·bil·i·ty, gov·ern·a·ble·ness, nouno·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, adjectiveun·gov·ern·ing, adjectivewell-governed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use govern in a sentence

Throughout his career, Ramaphosa has shown himself, says Butler, “to be a genuine believer in rule-governed behavior.”
The Corruption Battle Shaping South Africa’s Future|Charu Kasturi|November 9, 2020|Ozy
Democrats will message to their voters that they need a governing majority in Washington to improve health care, the climate, pass coronavirus relief and any other number of issues.
What are the odds of Democratic wins in the Georgia runoffs?|Amber Phillips|November 6, 2020|Washington Post
Republicans picked up the New Hampshire House and Senate, giving them total control over governing in that state because they also kept the governor’s mansion.
Democrats’ down-ballot misery continues with state legislative battles|Amber Phillips|November 5, 2020|Washington Post
Vargas, a former Planned Parenthood executive and a Southwestern College governing board member, has grounded her vision for what the county should do in her experience in health care and social services.
Welcome to a Dem-Controlled County|Jesse Marx and Maya Srikrishnan|November 4, 2020|Voice of San Diego

As Joe often says, he is campaigning as a Democrat, but he will govern as President for all of America.
Valerie Jarrett: We need a President who understands the challenges of working women|jakemeth|November 2, 2020|Fortune
He campaigned and governed in poetry, and we are all the richer for it.
President Cuomo Would’ve Been a Lion|Jonathan Alter|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Living in a society openly governed by force with those who have demonstrated their familiarity with it increases the danger.
A Million Ways to Die in Prison|Daniel Genis|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Our Western propaganda was in that sense entirely true: the East German régime was indeed hated by those it governed.
The Stacks: How The Berlin Wall Inspired John le Carré’s First Masterpiece|John le Carré|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
What the record really shows is just how much the fate of the Presidency is governed by the vagaries of chance.
Political Mythbusting: Third Term’s the Charm|Jeff Greenfield|August 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Does government enhance or diminish the safety of the governed?
War! What Is It Good For? A Lot|Nick Romeo|August 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Because the universe is governed by laws, and there is no credible instance on record of those laws being suspended.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
The minister's eye kept steady to one point; to raise the country he governed, to the utmost pinnacle of earthly grandeur.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
Thus will my beloved country be governed, without detriment to the integrity of Spain.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
If it is to be performed in another place, then the parties must be governed by the law of that place in performing it.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
But to a man of Marmont's character one word of warning was enough; his head governed his heart; glory was his loadstar.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison

British Dictionary definitions for govern

govern

/ (ˈɡʌvən) /

verb (mainly tr)

(also intr) to direct and control the actions, affairs, policies, functions, etc, of (a political unit, organization, nation, etc); rule

to exercise restraint over; regulate or directto govern one's temper

to be a predominant influence on (something); decide or determine (something)his injury governed his decision to avoid sports

to control the speed of (an engine, machine, etc) using a governor

to control the rate of flow of (a fluid) by using an automatic valve

(of a word) to determine the inflection of (another word)Latin nouns govern adjectives that modify them

Derived forms of govern

governable, adjectivegovernability or governableness, noun

Word Origin for govern

C13: from Old French gouverner, from Latin gubernāre to steer, from Greek kubernan

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

govern

OTHER WORDS FOR govern

OPPOSITES FOR govern

Origin of govern

synonym study for govern

OTHER WORDS FROM govern

Words related to govern

How to use govern in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for govern

Derived forms of govern

Word Origin for govern