government
noun
gov·ern·ment
ˈgə-vər(n)-mənt 
-və-mənt;
ˈgə-bᵊm-ənt,
-vᵊm-
often attributive
1
: the body of persons that constitutes the governing authority of a political unit or organization: such as
a
: the officials comprising the governing body of a political unit and constituting the organization as an active agency
The government was slow to react to the crisis.
b
capitalized
: the executive branch of the U.S. federal government
c
capitalized
: a small group of persons holding simultaneously the principal political executive offices of a nation or other political unit and being responsible for the direction and supervision of public affairs:
(1)
(2)
: such a group in a parliamentary system constituted by the cabinet or by the ministry
2
a
: the organization, machinery, or agency through which a political unit exercises authority and performs functions and which is usually classified according to the distribution of power within it
She works for the federal government.
b
: the complex of political institutions, laws, and customs through which the function of governing is carried out
3
: the act or process of governing
specifically
: authoritative direction or control
4
: the continuous exercise of authority over and the performance of functions for a political unit : rule
5
: political science
studied economics and government
6
a
: the office, authority, or function of governing
b
obsolete
: the term during which a governing official holds office
7
obsolete
: moral conduct or behavior : discretion
Examples of government in a Sentence
The government has been slow to react to the crisis.
She works for the federal government.
We need to improve relations with foreign governments.
He is a firm believer in democratic government.
We learned about different methods of government.
The country has been damaged by many years of weak government.
Recent Examples on the Web
As the federal government shutdown drags into its 24th day, millions of American families are bracing for the possibility that November’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not arrive on time.
—
Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Most government economic reports have been suspended until funding is restored.
—NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
The law also established a standard time and allowed the federal government to create five time zones.
—Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Oct. 2025
In 1966, the student body government decided that Colorado should have a live buffalo mascot.
—Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for government
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Most government economic reports have been suspended until funding is restored.
—NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
The law also established a standard time and allowed the federal government to create five time zones.
—Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Oct. 2025
In 1966, the student body government decided that Colorado should have a live buffalo mascot.
—Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for government
Cite this Entry
“Government.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/government. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
government
noun
gov·ern·ment
ˈgəv-ər(n)-mənt
ˈgəb-ᵊm-ənt,
ˈgəv-mənt
1
a
: the act or process of governing
especially
: direction of a political unit
b
: the making of policy as distinguished from the administration of policy decisions
2
a
: the agency through which a political unit exercises authority
b
: manner of governing : the institutions, laws, and customs through which a political unit is governed
republican government
3
a
: the officials making up the governing body of a political unit
b
capitalized
: the executive branch of the U.S. federal government
Legal Definition
government
noun
gov·ern·ment
ˈgə-vər-mənt, -vərn-
1
: the act or process of governing
specifically
: authoritative direction or control
2
: the office, authority, or function of governing
3
: the continuous exercise of authority over and the performance of functions for a political unit : rule
4
a
: the organization, machinery, or agency through which a political unit exercises authority and performs functions and which is usually classified according to the distribution of power within it
b
: the complex of political institutions, laws, and customs through which the function of governing is carried out
5
: the body of persons that constitutes the governing authority of a political unit or organization: as
a
: the officials comprising the governing body of a political unit and constituting the organization as an active agency
b
capitalized
: the executive branch of the U.S. federal government
c
: the prosecution in a criminal case in its capacity as agents of the political unit
the government failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt
governmental
adjective
governmentally
adverb
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