government Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
    authorities; regime.
    • the government reduced taxes
    • the matter was referred to higher authorities
  2. noun the act of governing; exercising authority
    administration; government activity; governance; governing.
    • regulations for the governing of state prisons
    • he had considerable experience of government
  3. noun (government) the system or form by which a community or other political unit is governed
    • tyrannical government
  4. noun the study of government of states and other political units
    politics; political science.

WordNet


Gov"ern*ment noun
Etymology
F. gouvernement. See Govern.
Definitions
  1. The act of governing; the exercise of authority; the administration of laws; control; direction; regulation; as, civil, church, or family government.
  2. The mode of governing; the system of polity in a state; the established form of law.
    That free government which we have so dearly purchased, free commonwealth. Milton.
  3. The right or power of governing; authority.
    I here resign my goverment to thee. Shak.
  4. The person or persons authorized to administer the laws; the ruling powe; the administratian.
    When we, in England, speak of the government, we generally understand the ministers of the crown for the time being. Mozley & W.
  5. The body politic governed by one authority; a state; as, the governments of Europe.
  6. Management of the limbs or body. Shak.
  7. (Gram.) The influence of a word in regard to construction, requiring that another word should be in a particular case.

Webster 1913