Govern1. (v. t.) To direct and control, as the actions or conduct of men, either by established laws or by arbitrary will; to regulate by authority.
2. (v. t.) To regulate; to influence; to direct; to restrain; to manage; as, to govern the life; to govern a horse.
3. (v. t.) To require to be in a particular case; as, a transitive verb governs a noun in the objective case; or to require (a particular case); as, a transitive verb governs the objective case.
4. (v. i.) To exercise authority; to administer the laws; to have the control.
Thesaurus Entries
administer, administrate, arrest, be master, be responsible for, boss, bridle, call the shots, call the signals, captain, carry authority, carry on, carry out, chair, check, command, conduct, constrain, contain, control, cool, cool off, crack the whip, curb, curtail, decelerate, decide, determine, direct, discipline, dispose, dominate, dompt, engineer, enjoin, execute, guard, guide, handle, have clout, have power, have the power, have the right, have the say, head, head up, hinder, hold, hold at bay, hold back, hold fast, hold in, hold in check, hold in leash, hold the reins, hold up, inhibit, keep, keep back, keep from, keep in, keep in check, keep under control, lay under restraint, lead, lead on, look after, make the rules, manage, maneuver, manipulate, master, mastermind, officer, order, overrule, oversee, pilot, possess authority, prescribe, preside over, prohibit, pull, pull in, pull the strings, quarterback, regulate, reign, rein, rein in, render, repress, restrain, retard, retrench, rule, run, set back, shepherd, skipper, slow down, snub, stand over, steer, straiten, subdue, superintend, supervise, suppress, sway, take command, take the lead, wear the crown, wear the pants, wield authority, withhold