- present tense form of govern (3rd person singular).
governs
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
If Mamdani has so far shown a pragmatic streak in how he governs that can feel at odds with the loftier promises of his campaign, some friction with his most hard-line voters might be inevitable.
From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2026
An independent Charter Reform Commission recommended changes to improve the way the city governs itself, but it was ultimately the City Council that approved placing measures on the ballot.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
No federal law specifically governs these models in the United States.
From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026
New Mexico’s insurance code governs how insurance holding companies register with the state.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
For example: Here’s an explanation of the rhetorical term syllepsis: “the use of a word that relates to, qualifies, or governs two or more other words but has a different meaning in relation to each.”
From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker
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