Definition of: govern

(guv′ərn) v.t.
1. To rule or control by right or authority: to govern a kingdom.
2. To control or influence morally or physically; direct: His ideals govern his life.
3. To serve as a rule or regulation for; determine: This decision governed the case.
4. To hold back; curb, as one's temper.
5. Gram. a To regulate (a word) as to form: In Take me home, the verb governs the pronoun. b To require (a particular case, mood, or form): In English, a transitive verb governs the objective case of a pronoun.
—v.i.
6. To exercise authority. [<ΟF governer <L gubernare steer <Gk. kubernaein]
—gov′ern·a·ble adjective Synonyms: command, control, curb, direct, influence, manage, reign, restrain, rule, sway. A person commands another when he has, or claims, the right to make that other do his will, with power of inflicting penalty if not obeyed; he controls another whom he can prevent from doing anything contrary to his will; he governs one whom he actually does cause to obey his will. A wise mother, by gentle means, sways the feelings and molds the lives of her children; to be able to manage servants is an important element of good housekeeping. The word reign, once so absolute, now simply denotes that one holds the official station of sovereign with or without effective power. See COMMAND, REGULATE. Antonyms: comply, obey, submit, yield.