gov ‧ ern ‧ ing /ˈɡʌvənɪŋ $ -ər-/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ government , ↑ governor , ↑ governess , ↑ governorship ; adjective : ↑ governmental , ↑ governing , ↑ gubernatorial ; verb : ↑ govern ; adverb : governmentally]
1 . [only before noun] having the power and authority to control an organization, country etc SYN ruling :
FIFA is the governing body of world soccer (=the group of people who control it) .
The Democrats are now the governing party (=the party in power) in the country.
the governing class of ancient Rome
2 . governing principle a principle that has the most important influence on something:
Freedom of speech is one of the governing principles in a democracy.
⇨ self-governing