ˈgəvə(r)nən(t)s noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English governaunce, from Middle French governance, from governer, gouverner to govern + -ance — more at govern
1. : the act or process of governing : government 2
the internal stresses and strains in the governance of a nation — V.O.Key
intelligence … in the governance of men — Lewis Mumford
2.
a. : the office, power, or function of governing
invested with the governance of the kingdom
b. : controlling or directing influence : authority
she disliked whatever did not yield to her governance — Thomas Wolfe
3. : the state of being governed
the colonies … passed through analogous stages from governance to self-government — Alexander Brady
4.
a. : the manner or method of governing : conduct of office
her ironfisted governance of her office is one of arbitrary whim and prejudice — H.L.Ickes
inferred the nature of the governor from the observed mode of his governance — I.R.Maxwell
b. obsolete : personal conduct, behavior, or manner of life
he likest is to fall into mischance … regardless of his governance — Edmund Spenser
5. : a system of governing : government 7a
the ancient governance was sapped in its foundations — John Buchan
a new world governance enforced through power — Yale Review