## Meanings
1. To officially rule and control a country, state, or organization.
2. To control or strongly influence how something happens or how someone behaves.
3. To control or regulate the speed or flow of something.

## Examples
- The old king governed the land wisely for many years.
- Their religious beliefs govern their daily conduct.
- A valve governs the amount of fuel entering the engine.

## Derived Forms
- cogovern
- e-govern
- governable
- governate
- governee
- governless
- misgovern
- overgovern
- self-govern

## Related Forms
- governance
- governess
- government
- governor

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: governen
- Root: governer
- Root: gubernō
- Root: κυβερνάω

## Etymology
From Middle English governen, governe, from Anglo-Norman and Old French governer, guverner, from Latin gubernō, from Ancient Greek κυβερνάω (kubernáō, “to steer, drive, govern”). Displaced native Old English wealdan, whence modern dialectical English wald (“to govern”).

## AI Etymology
Govern comes from Middle English governen, governe, from Anglo-Norman and Old French governer, guverner, from Latin gubernō, from Ancient Greek κυβερνάω (kubernáō, “to steer, drive, govern”). Displaced native Old English wealdan, whence modern dialectical English wald (“to govern”). In current use, the main senses are “To officially rule and control a country, state, or organization” and “To control or strongly influence how something happens or how someone behaves”.

## Topics
- Law & Government

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