/ ˈgʌvn; NAmE ˈgʌvərn/ verb
1.
to legally control a country or its people and be responsible for introducing new laws, organizing public services, etc. :
[ vn ]
The country is governed by elected representatives of the people.
[ v ]
He accused the opposition party of being unfit to govern.
2.
[ vn ] [ often passive ] to control or influence sb/sth or how sth happens, functions, etc. :
Prices are governed by market demand.
All his decisions have been entirely governed by self-interest.
We need changes in the law governing school attendance.
3.
[ vn ] ( grammar ) if a word governs another word or phrase, it affects how that word or phrase is formed or used
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French governer , from Latin gubernare to steer, rule, from Greek kubernan to steer.