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government definition

gov·ern·ment (guv′ərn mənt, -ər-)

noun

    1. the exercise of authority over a state, district, organization, institution, etc.; direction; control; rule; management
    2. the right, function, or power of governing
    1. a system of ruling, controlling, etc.
    2. an established system of political administration by which a nation, state, district, etc. is governed we need honest government
    3. the study of such systems; political science
  3. all the people or agencies that administer or control the affairs of a nation, state, institution, etc.; administration the election resulted in a new government
  4. the executive or administrative branch of government of a particular nation as constituted by the political party or coalition in power a Labor government in Great Britain
  5. Now Rare a governed territory
  6. Gram. the influence of one word over the case or mood of another

Etymology: OFr governement: see govern & -ment

adjective

of or relating to government

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

law government definition - legal

government Synonyms

government

n.

  1. The process of governing

    rule, control, command, regulation, administration, bureaucracy, direction, equity, dominion, sway, authority, jurisdiction, hegemony, suzerainty, sovereignty, prerogative, polity, direction, power, management, authorization, patronage, mastery, predominance, superiority, supervision, superintendence, magistracy, supremacy, domination, preponderance, ascendancy, influence, presidency, politics, regimentation, state, statecraft, political practice, caretaker government, governmental procedure; see also administration.

  2. The instrument of governing

    administration, assembly, legislature, congress, cabinet, executive power, regime, supreme authority, ministry, party, chamber, council, parliament, senate, department of justice, soviet, diet, synod, convocation, convention, court, directory, house.

    Types of government include: absolute monarchy, dictatorship, empire, tyranny, fascism, imperialism, colonialism, despotism, limited monarchy, constitutional monarchy, hereditary kingship, oligarchy, aristocracy, democracy, popular government, representative government, democratic socialism, communism, socialism, party government.

  3. Divisions of government include: state, province, kingdom, territory, colony, dominion, commonwealth, soviet, republic, shire, city, county, canton, town, village, hamlet, township, municipality, principality, precinct, borough, commune, ward, district, suburb, department, arrondissement, département (both French), nome, nomarchy, parish.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

government Usage Examples

Possessives

  • commitment: Support for family relationships 3.32 Supporting marriage and stable relationships is also an important part of the Government's commitment to support families.

Converse of object

  • urge: The Campaign has written to MPs asking them to sign an EDM urging the government to implement the FOI Act on time.

Adjective modifier

  • central: We receive more than half of our funding from central government, the rest coming from council tax.

Modifies a noun

  • department: Clinton then approved the visa for Cahill despite mass opposition from various US government departments.

Noun used with modifier

  • coalition: The grand coalition government of the center right and center left in Germany is pushing through retirement at 67.
government usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

government quotes

A government of laws, and not of men.

-Adams,John

There are checks and balances in governmentöthe checksgo to candidates and the balance to the people.

-Anonymous

From the cradle to the grave, Even if I misbehave, There's a place for me On government subsidy.

-Anonymous

government quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"government." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 3 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/government>

APA Style

government. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 3rd, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/government

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