govern

verb

gov·​ern ˈgə-vərn 

governed; governing; governs

transitive verb

1

a

: to exercise continuous sovereign authority over

especially : to control and direct the making and administration of policy in

The country was governed by a king.

b

: to rule without sovereign power and usually without having the authority to determine basic policy

2

a

archaic : manipulate

b

: to control the speed of (a machine) especially by automatic means

3

a

: to control, direct, or strongly influence the actions and conduct of

b

: to exert a determining or guiding influence in or over

income must govern expenditure

c

: to hold in check : restrain

was told to govern her emotions

4

: to require (a word) to be in a certain case

5

: to serve as a precedent or deciding principle for

customs that govern human decisions

intransitive verb

1

: to prevail or have decisive influence : control

In all situations allow reason to govern.

2

: to exercise authority

governable

ˈgə-vər-nə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• boss
• captain
• command
• control
• preside (over)
• rule
• sway [archaic]

Examples of govern in a Sentence

The tribe is governed by a 10-member council.

They want to form their own country and govern themselves.

The scandal limited her ability to govern effectively.

How would he govern if he were elected president?

She suggested changing the state's laws governing the sale of alcohol.

The council governs fishing in the region.

We will be studying the forces that govern the Earth's climate.

Tradition governs all aspects of their lives.

He allows himself to be governed by his emotions.

Recent Examples on the Web

After a four-year investigation, the governing body brought more than 100 charges against City, accusing them of different financial breaches, including falsely increasing revenue by inflating sponsorship agreements with associated parties to get around financial fair play (FFP) rules. —Phil Hay, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025

Its governing body is a Board of Regents, whose members include the Vice President, the Chief Justice of the United States, three Senators, three Representatives and nine citizens. —Elizabeth Blair, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025

Any kind of responsible management would require unprecedented international cooperation, potentially including a new multinational body to govern geoengineering. —Brett Simpson, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2025

Abbott’s human touch governing Texas is what the nation needs – not Crockett’s gross attacks. —Nicole Russell, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French governer, from Latin gubernare to steer, govern, from Greek kybernan

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

govern

verb

gov·​ern ˈgəv-ərn 

1

: to exercise authority over : rule

the queen governed wisely

2

: to control the speed of by automatic means

3

a

: to control, direct, or strongly influence the actions and conduct of

governed by his emotions

b

: to hold in check : restrain

our income governs our spending

4

: to require a word to be in a certain case or mood

in English a transitive verb governs a pronoun in the objective case

5

: to serve as a rule or law for

etiquette governing their behavior

governable

-ər-nə-bəl 

adjective

Legal Definition

govern

transitive verb

gov·​ern ˈgə-vərn 

1

: to exercise continuous sovereign authority over

especially : to control and direct the administration of policy in

2

: to exert a determining or guiding influence in or over

the testator's assets are governed by will substitutes

—W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.

3

: to serve as a precedent or deciding principle for

the law governing bills of lading

United States v. Leon governs the case at bar

governable

ˈgə-vər-nə-bəl 

adjective