governs
v. B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɡəvɝnz// UK //ɡˈʌvənz// gov·erns
v. to control or lead a country, a group of people, or a system. It also means to be the rule that decides how something works.
v. to exercise continuous sovereign authority over a political unit; to control or influence the actions and conduct of a system or organization.
The president governs the country with help from a large team.
Strict safety regulations govern how the factory handles chemical waste to protect the local environment.
The laws of physics govern the movement of planets, ensuring that their orbits remain predictable over millions of years despite the immense distances involved.
Usage
The verb is transitive and typically takes a direct object representing a territory, organization, or set of principles.