- 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.
“What they have done is lower the standard for everything,” said Ali Khawar, a former senior official at the Department of Labor, which is charged with enforcing the federal law that governs retirement savings.
From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2026
On the republic’s 250th birthday, that is worth celebrating: not the government that governs us, but the restless, inventive, association-forming energy of the American people themselves.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026
Under federal tax-exempt organization law, he said, the “private benefit doctrine” governs whether a nonprofit’s overall activities unduly benefit any single individual — including through indirect payments to entities they own.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 25, 2026
The vote-counting process that governs California elections is transparent to anyone who wants to understand it.
From Slate ● Jun. 9, 2026
Recognition of this general principle found expression in the constitution of the council, variously called “Imbizo” or “Pitso” or “Kgotla,” which governs the affairs of the tribe.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
