government: meaning, pronunciation and examples

/ˈɡʌvərnmənt/·GUV-ern-ment

Government (noun) means the group of people who officially control a country or area.

What does “government” mean?

  1. 1

    nounthe group of people who officially control a country or area

    The government plans to build more schools.
  2. 2

    nounthe system or way a country is ruled

    The country has a democratic form of government.

Government at a glance

Part of speech
noun
CEFR level
A2 (elementary)
Pronunciation
/ˈɡʌvərnmənt/ · GUV-ern-ment

How to use “government” correctly

Don’t forget the “n” in the middle: govern-ment. In fast speech it often sounds like “GUV-er-ment”.

Common phrases with “government”

  • local government
  • federal government
  • government policy
  • form a government

Synonyms (similar meaning)

Word family

  • govern
  • governor
  • governmental

“government” is on these word lists

Learn these words next