Gov"ern (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Governed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Governing.] [OF. governer, F. gouverner, fr. L. gubernare to steer, pilot, govern, Gr. kyberna^n. Cf. Gubernatorial.] 1. To direct and control, as the actions or conduct of men, either by established laws or by arbitrary will; to regulate by authority. "Fit to govern and rule multitudes." Shak.

2. To regulate; to influence; to direct; to restrain; to manage; as, to govern the life; to govern a horse.

Govern well thy appetite.

3. (Gram.) 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.

Gov"ern, v. i. To exercise authority; to administer the laws; to have the control. Dryden.

• The act of running a government
  
• To make and administer the public policy and affairs of; exercise sovereign authority in.
  
• To control the speed or magnitude of; regulate
        a valve that governs fuel intake.
  
• To control the actions or behavior of
        Govern yourselves like civilized people.
  
• To keep under control; restrain
        a student who could not govern his impulses.
  
• To exercise a deciding or determining influence on
        Chance usually governs the outcome of the game.
  
• To exercise political authority.
  
• To have or exercise a determining influence.