Definition of "government" in English

noun

1. The body with the power to make and/or enforce laws to control a country, land area, people or organization.

   • British government has historically centred exclusively on London.

2. (grammar, linguistics) The relationship between a word and its dependents.

3. The state and its administration viewed as the ruling political power.

   • Near-synonyms: state, administration
   • If the citizens must follow the law, then the government must follow the constitution.

4. (uncountable) The management or control of a system.

5. The tenure of a head of government; the ministry or administration led by a specified individual.

   • The Sunak government announced plans to stem the flow of migrants coming into Great Britain.

6. In a parliamentary system, the political party or coalition in power; its condition of being in power.

7. (debating) The team tasked with presenting and speaking in favour of a resolution, as opposed to the opposition.

8. Ellipsis of government name, one's legal name according to a government.