/ ˈgʌvənmənt; NAmE -vərn-/ noun
1.
[ C +sing./pl. v . ] (often the Government ) ( abbr. govt ) the group of people who are responsible for controlling a country or a state :
to lead / form a government
the last Conservative government
the government of the day
Foreign governments have been consulted about this decision.
She has resigned from the Government.
The Government has / have been considering further tax cuts.
government policies / officials / ministers
a government department / agency / grant
government expenditure / intervention
2.
[ U ] a particular system or method of controlling a country :
coalition / communist / democratic / totalitarian, etc. government
Democratic government has now replaced military rule.
central / federal government
3.
[ U ] the activity or the manner of controlling a country :
strong government
The Democrats are now in government in the US.
—see also big government
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French governement , from governer , from Latin gubernare to steer, rule, from Greek kubernan to steer.