govern

verb

gov·​ern ˈgə-vərn How to pronounce govern (audio)
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 adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
American sports leagues are, in large part, governed by the terms of the collective bargaining agreements negotiated with their counterpart players unions. Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025 Nixon’s interference led to new rules to protect the integrity of government statistics, among them a regulation that governs when and how reports are released. Fergus McIntosh, New Yorker, 6 Aug. 2025 Its inaction was as earthshaking as action can be, especially because both the shah and his opponents were governed by their perceptions of what the U.S. did or did not want. Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 5 Aug. 2025 At a minimum, every market-making arrangement should include standardized disclosures that outline the structure of the agreement governing liquidity. Zoltan Istvan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for govern

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of govern was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Govern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/govern. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

govern

verb
gov·​ern ˈgəv-ərn How to pronounce govern (audio)
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 adjective

Legal Definition

govern

transitive verb
gov·​ern ˈgə-vərn How to pronounce govern (audio)
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 substitutesW. 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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on govern

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