Govern can mean to have official power and leadership over a place. It means to act as the ruler or manager of a government or group.
The council governs the town for four years.
A president governs a country after elections.
Govern can mean to control or decide how people act or feel. It can be about rules or feelings that affect behavior. This use is more abstract and about influence.
Good manners govern how we behave.
Patience governs her reactions in problems.
Govern can mean to control how a machine or system works. It decides how the parts of a machine or system act. It is often used in technical or scientific contexts.
The thermostat governs the temperature in the room.
A computer program governs how the data moves.
Govern can mean to decide or be the main reason for something. It is about what controls or decides the outcome in a situation.
The weather governs the success of the crop.
Time governs all plans for the day.
