What does "government" mean?
The body with the power to make and/or enforce laws to control a country, land area, people or organization.
Government
/ˈɡʌv.ɚ.mənt/ noun
noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The body with the power to make and/or enforce laws to control a country, land area, people or organization.
- Grammar: government is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: administration, governance, administration, administrative.
- Useful contrasts: no government, the opposition, anarchy.
- Usage evidence: Democracy is the worst form of government, except all the others that have been tried.
How to use "government"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "government" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "government" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "government" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "government" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "government" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "administration" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "government", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The body with the power to make and/or enforce laws to control a country, land area, people or organization. countable, uncountable
"British government has historically centred exclusively on London."
- 2 the act of governing; exercising authority wordnet
- 3 The relationship between a word and its dependents. countable, uncountable
- 4 (government) the system or form by which a community or other political unit is governed wordnet
- 5 The state and its administration viewed as the ruling political power. countable, uncountable
"Near-synonyms: state, administration"
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 the study of government of states and other political units wordnet
- 7 The management or control of a system. uncountable
"The government of the Church is maintained without material alteration in a settled hierarchical form."
- 8 the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit wordnet
- 9 The tenure of a head of government; the ministry or administration led by a specified individual. countable, uncountable
"The Sunak government announced plans to stem the flow of migrants coming into Great Britain."
- 10 In a parliamentary system, the political party or coalition in power; its condition of being in power. countable, uncountable
- 11 The team tasked with presenting and speaking in favour of a resolution, as opposed to the opposition. countable, uncountable
- 12 Ellipsis of government name, one's legal name according to a government. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable
Antonyms
Example
"Democracy is the worst form of government, except all the others that have been tried."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "government"?
Common synonyms include: administration, governance, administration, administrative, archbishopric, archdiocese.
How do you use "government" in a sentence?
Democracy is the worst form of government, except all the others that have been tried.
How do you pronounce "government"?
Pronounced /ˈɡʌv.ɚ.mənt/.
Etymology
From Middle English governement, from Old French governement (modern French gouvernement), from governer (see govern) + -ment. Morphologically govern + -ment. Displaced native Old English gerec, leodweard, ræden, rǣding and ealdordōm.