gov·ern·ment
| \ ˈgə-vər(n)-mənt
, -və-mənt; ˈgə-bᵊm-ənt, -vᵊm-\
, -və-mənt; ˈgə-bᵊm-ənt, -vᵊm-\
Definition of government
3a
: the office, authority, or function of governing
b
obsolete
: the term during which a governing official holds office
4
: the continuous exercise of authority over and the performance of functions for a political unit : rule
5a
: the organization, machinery, or agency through which a political unit exercises authority and performs functions and which is usually classified according to the distribution of power within it
She works for the federal government.
b
: the complex of political institutions, laws, and customs through which the function of governing is carried out
6
: the body of persons that constitutes the governing authority of a political unit or organization: such as
a
: the officials comprising the governing body of a political unit and constituting the organization as an active agency
The government was slow to react to the crisis.
b
capitalized
: the executive branch of the U.S. federal government
c
capitalized
: a small group of persons holding simultaneously the principal political executive offices of a nation or other political unit and being responsible for the direction and supervision of public affairs:
(1)
: such a group in a parliamentary system constituted by the cabinet or by the ministry
(2)
: administration sense 4b
7
: political science
studied economics and government
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Other Words from government
governmental
\ ˌgə-vər(n)-ˈmen-tᵊl
\
adjective
\
adjective
governmentalize
\ ˌgə-vər(n)-ˈmen-tə-ˌlīz
\
transitive verb
\
transitive verb
governmentally
\ ˌgə-vər(n)-ˈmen-tᵊl-ē
\
adverb
\
adverb
Synonyms for government
Synonyms
administration, authority, governance, jurisdiction, regime (also régime), regimen, rule
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Examples of government in a Sentence
The government has been slow to react to the crisis.
She works for the federal government.
We need to improve relations with foreign governments.
He is a firm believer in democratic government.
We learned about different methods of government.
The country has been damaged by many years of weak government.
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Recent Examples on the Web
The data historically collected by the federal government on fatal shootings were sorely lacking. — Lynne Peeples, Scientific American, "What the Data Say about Police Shootings," 5 Sep. 2019 The state has been little help, the federal government even less. — Steve Bailey, BostonGlobe.com, "Charleston to climate deniers: Come walk in our boots," 5 Sep. 2019 Citi, which traces its history to 1812, would receive $476 billion in cash and guarantees from the federal government, according to a 2011 Congressional report. — Matt Egan, CNN, "Citigroup was in shambles. This is how Dick Parsons helped save it," 5 Sep. 2019 This is the second time in less than five years that the federal government has found major violations of Title IX at MSU. — David Jesse, Detroit Free Press, "MSU to pay record $4.5M fine in Larry Nassar sexual assault scandal," 5 Sep. 2019 The supervisors also urged other cities, states and the federal government to ascribe the same label to the gun lobbyist group. — Los Angeles Times, "Newsletter: A woman’s name and the long shadow of the Stanford rape case," 5 Sep. 2019 The federal government had previously said that the recent spate of illnesses could come from a harmful product. — Laura Hancock, cleveland.com, "Ohio confirms 3 severe lung illness cases after vaping, 11 more under investigation," 4 Sep. 2019 This week most of the top 10 presidential hopefuls released proposals for ways in which the federal government can help combat global warming. — Tanya A. Christian, Essence, "Harris, Warren Reveal Climate Plans Ahead Of CNN Town Hall On Global Warming," 4 Sep. 2019 Cities, states and the federal government are granted a wide range of protections against civil lawsuits. — Vic Ryckaert, Indianapolis Star, "The World War II vet was held captive by an escapee. Then he became someone else.," 3 Sep. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'government.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for government
government
noun
English Language Learners Definition of government
: the group of people who control and make decisions for a country, state, etc.
: a particular system used for controlling a country, state, etc.
: the process or manner of controlling a country, state, etc.
See the full definition for government in the English Language Learners Dictionary
government
noun
gov·ern·ment
| \ ˈgə-vərn-mənt
, -vər-mənt\
, -vər-mənt\
Kids Definition of government
1
: control and direction of public business (as of a city or a nation)
The mayor makes decisions regarding the government of city departments.
2
: a system of control : an established form of political rule
a democratic government
3
: the people making up a governing body
Their governments are committed to peace.