govern
[ guhv-ern ]
/ ˈgʌv ərn /
||
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
to exercise the function of government.
to have predominating influence.
RELATED CONTENT
Well vs. GoodSomeone may have told you you were wrong for saying, I’m good, instead of the more formal I’m well. But is the response I’m good actually incorrect? Not technically. Let’s explore the rules and conventions for these two words. Well is often used as an adverb. Adverbs can modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. Good is most widely used as an adjective, meaning that it can …
Nearby words
goutweed, gouty, gouty stool, gov, gov., govern, governador valadares, governance, governess, government, government house
Origin of govern
1250–1300; Middle English < Old French gouverner < Latin gubernāre to steer (a ship) < Greek kybernân to steer
ANTONYMS FOR govern
1 obey.
Related forms
Synonym study
1. See rule.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for well-governed
British Dictionary definitions for well-governed (1 of 2)
well-governed
adjective (well governed when postpositive)
(of a political unit, organization, nation, etc) directed and controlled efficiently or satisfactorily
British Dictionary definitions for well-governed (2 of 2)
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
governable, adjectivegovernability or governableness, nounWord 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