govern

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive or intransitive

   To hold power over a country, region or organization and make its important decisions.

   Grammar: Takes an object or stands alone: govern a state; the party will govern.

   Patterns

   • govern a country
   • govern with a majority

   The coalition promised to govern fairly.

   She was elected to govern the province.

   A council of elders governs the village.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To control or decide how something works or happens, as a rule or law does.

   Grammar: Takes an object, often a process: laws govern trade.

   Patterns

   • rules govern something
   • be governed by something

   Strict rules govern how doctors treat patients.

   The laws of physics govern the way planets move.

   Behavior in class is governed by a clear code.

3. 3verbtransitiveformal

   To influence or determine a person's choices or actions.

   Grammar: Often used with emotions or beliefs: be governed by fear.

   Patterns

   • be governed by something

   He was governed by pride, not good sense.

   Do not let your fears govern your choices.

   Her decisions are governed by a strong sense of duty.

Word forms

Common combinations

govern a country

It is hard to govern a country in a crisis.

govern the way

Rules govern the way we vote.

be governed by

The club is governed by a committee.

govern fairly

The leader promised to govern fairly.

strictly govern

Laws strictly govern the use of chemicals.

Synonyms and how they differ

rule

Rule suggests strong, often personal power, while govern sounds more official and organized.

run

Run is casual and suits managing businesses, while govern suits states and public bodies.

control

Control is broader and stresses power over something without the idea of a public role.

regulate

Regulate stresses adjusting or limiting an activity by rules.

Opposites

Word family

government noun

the group of people who run a country

governor noun

a person who leads a state or institution

governance noun

the way an organization is managed

governable adjective

able to be governed

ungovernable adjective

impossible to govern or control

Commonly confused: govern or gubernatorial?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “govern”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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