govern

Formsgoverns, governing, governed

Pluralgoverns

1. 1
   verbtransitive

   To lead a country or area and make its laws and big decisions.

   Like a captain who decides where the ship goes and keeps everyone on board safe.

   A small group of leaders governs the island.

   The new president promised to govern the country fairly.

   Similarrule, run, administer, lead, control

   Note
2. 2
   verbintransitive

   To hold political power and be in charge of running a government.

   After the election, the winning party will govern for five years.

   The king governed alone, without the help of a parliament.

   Similarrule, lead, reign

   Note
3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To control or hold back actions, feelings, or behavior.

   Like keeping a firm hold on a dog's leash so it cannot run off.

   She struggled to govern her temper during the argument.

   The substitute teacher could not govern the noisy class.

   Similarcontrol, restrain, curb, check, master

   Note
4. 4
   verbtransitive

   To decide how something happens or what it will be like.

   The weather governs what farmers can plant each season.

   Simple rules govern this card game.

   Similardetermine, dictate, shape, control, regulate

5. 5
   verbintransitive

   To be the thing that decides what happens.

   When the rules and the referee disagree, the rules govern.

   In questions of style, the editor's taste governs.

   Similarprevail, apply, rule

6. 6
   verbtransitive

   To control how fast or how much something moves or flows.

   Like a faucet that lets you make the water run faster or slower.

   A simple valve governs the flow of water into the tank.

   Engineers added a device to govern the engine's speed.

   Similarregulate, control

   Note
7. 7
   verbtransitive

   To make another word take a certain form, or appear with a certain small word like 'of' or 'to'.

   Like a dance leader whose steps decide what moves the partner must make.

   In Latin, some verbs govern a special form of the noun.

   In English, 'rely' governs the word 'on', so we say 'rely on'.

   Similartake

   Note

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