governed; governing; governs

1

a

**:**to exercise continuous sovereign authority over

especially

**:**to control and direct the making and administration of policy inThe country was governed by a king.

b

**:**to rule without sovereign power and usually without having the authority to determine basic policy

2

a

archaic

**:**manipulate
b

**:**to control the speed of (a machine) especially by automatic means

3

a

**:**to control, direct, or strongly influence the actions and conduct of

b

**:**to exert a determining or guiding influence in or over

income must govern expenditure

c

**:**to hold in check

**:**restrain

was told to govern her emotions

4

**:**to require (a word) to be in a certain case

5

**:**to serve as a precedent or deciding principle for

customs that govern human decisions

1

**:**to prevail or have decisive influence

**:**control

In all situations allow reason to govern.

2

**:**to exercise authority

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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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