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 Those negotiations would be governed by the rules and principles embodied in human rights law, humanitarian law, International Court of Justice opinions, the UN Charter, and UN Security Council resolutions. Marwan Muasher, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2024 Our Dene protocols and laws govern our reciprocal relationship with the land and animals. Photovogue, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2024 The ants, in other words, have no concept of death; their reaction to it is governed solely by instinct. Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024 As constitutional term limits bar Lacalle Pou from running for a second consecutive term, the governing party’s candidate is Álvaro Delgado, 55, a congressman and Lacalle Pou’s former chief of staff, who started his career as a veterinarian. Nayara Batschke and Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for govern 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'govern.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near govern

Cite this Entry

“Govern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/govern. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

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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