govern
verb
gov·ern
| \ ˈgə-vərn
\
\
governed;
governing;
governs
Definition of govern
1a
: 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
b
: to control the speed of (a machine) especially by automatic means
3a
: 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
1
: to prevail or have decisive influence : control
In all situations allow reason to govern.
2
: to exercise authority