governable

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

gov•ern /ˈgʌvɚn/   v. 

1. Government to rule by right of authority, as a king or queen or elected administrator does: [~ + object]
   to govern a nation.
   [no object]
   I'm sure he governs fairly.
2. to exercise a directing or restraining influence over; control:
   [~ + object] the motives that govern a decision.
3. to hold in check;
   control:
   [~ + object] to govern one's temper.

gov•ern•a•ble, adj. 
gov•ern•ance /ˈgʌvɚnəns/  n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

gov•ern  (guv′ərn), v.t. 

1. Government to rule over by right of authority:
   to govern a nation.
2. to exercise a directing or restraining influence over;
   guide:
   the motives governing a decision.
3. to hold in check;
   control:
   to govern one's temper.
4. to serve as or constitute a law for:
   the principles governing a case.
5. Grammar to be regularly accompanied by or require the use of (a particular form). In They helped us, the verb helped governs the objective case of the pronoun we.
6. Mechanical Engineering to regulate the speed of (an engine) with a governor.

v.i. 

7. Government to exercise the function of government.
8. to have predominating influence.

• Greek kybernân to steer
• Latin gubernāre to steer (a ship)
• Old French gouverner
• Middle English 1250–1300

gov′ern•a•ble, adj. 
gov′ern•a•bil′i•ty, gov′ern•a•ble•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. reign. See rule. 
• 2. control, sway, influence, conduct, supervise, superintend.

Antonyms

• 1. obey.