govern
Use Govern in a sentence
ərn verb (used with object)
1.
to rule over by right of authority: to govern a nation.
2.
to exercise a directing or restraining influence over; guide: the motives governing a decision.
3.
to hold in check; control: to govern one's temper.
4.
to serve as or constitute a law for: the principles governing a case.
5.
Grammar. to be regularly accompanied by or require the use of (a particular form). In They helped us, the verb helped governs the objective case of the pronoun we.
6.
to regulate the speed of (an engine) with a governor.
verb (used without object)
7.
to exercise the function of government.
8.
to have predominating influence.
00:10
Govern
is always a great word to know.
So is tilde. Does it mean:
| a paragraph mark. |
| a symbol (∼) indicating equivalency or similarity between two values. |
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English < Old French gouverner < Latin gubernāre to steer (a ship) < Greek kybernân to steer
1250–1300; Middle English < Old French gouverner < Latin gubernāre to steer (a ship) < Greek kybernân to steer
Related forms
gov·ern·a·ble, adjective
gov·ern·a·bil·i·ty, gov·ern·a·ble·ness, noun
o·ver·gov·ern, verb (used with object)
re·gov·ern, verb (used with object)
su·per·gov·ern, verb (used with object)
Antonyms
1. obey.
1. obey.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To govern
Collins
World English Dictionary
govern (ˈɡʌvən) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | (also intr) to direct and control the actions, affairs, policies, functions, etc, of (a political unit, organization, nation, etc); rule |
| 2. | to exercise restraint over; regulate or direct: to govern one's temper |
| 3. | to be a predominant influence on (something); decide or determine (something): his injury governed his decision to avoid sports |
| 4. | to control the speed of (an engine, machine, etc) using a governor |
| 5. | to control the rate of flow of (a fluid) by using an automatic valve |
| 6. | (of a word) to determine the inflection of (another word): Latin nouns govern adjectives that modify them |
| [C13: from Old French gouverner, from Latin gubernāre to steer, from Greek kubernan] | |
| 'governable | |
| —adj | |
| governa'bility | |
| —n | |
| 'governableness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
govern
c.1300, from O.Fr. governer "govern," from L. gubernare "to direct, rule, guide," originally "to steer," from Gk. kybernan "to steer or pilot a ship, direct" (the root of cybernetics). The -k- to -g- sound shift is perhaps via the medium of Etruscan.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Each hotel has its own policies that govern guest check-out procedures.
In the latter case, he has to show he can govern effectively in a crisis created by a natural disaster.
We have fought, and will continue to fight, pitched battles about how best to govern this nation.
Sensuous power must then be annihilated before the law which must govern it can be established.
Nearby Words
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