governed Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun the body of people who are citizens of a particular government
   
   • governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed"--Declaration of Independence
2. verb bring into conformity with rules or principles or usage; impose regulations
   regularize; regularise; regulate; order; govern.
   
   • We cannot regulate the way people dress
   • This town likes to regulate
3. verb direct or strongly influence the behavior of
   govern.
   
   • His belief in God governs his conduct
4. verb exercise authority over; as of nations
   rule; govern.
   
   • Who is governing the country now?
5. verb require to be in a certain grammatical case, voice, or mood
   govern.
   
   • most transitive verbs govern the accusative case in German

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