governing

/ˈɡʌvənɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡʌvərnɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgə-vər-niŋ/ (ame, mw)

governing — adjective

  • governingpositive
  • more governingcomparative
  • most governingsuperlative

1. used to describe the group or body that holds the authority to make decisions an

1.形容詞B2
釋義

used to describe the group or body that holds the authority to make decisions and run a country, state, or organization

例句

The governing party lost public support after passing the unpopular tax law.

governing party — the political group in power

A hospital's governing board meets each month to review budgets and patient safety.

governing board — decision-making group for an institution

同義詞
  • ruling

    narrower — focuses on being in power at a given time ('ruling party'), while 'governing' can also describe a permanent role ('governing board')

  • controlling

    wider in meaning; 'controlling' can sound negative, while 'governing' is neutral and formal

  • executive

    more specific — refers only to the branch that puts laws into effect

反義詞
  • subordinate

    describes a group or body that follows orders rather than giving them

  • opposition

    in politics, the party that is not in power

文法句型

governing + noun (body, party, council, board, system)

用法筆記

Always used before a noun. This sense cannot take comparative forms (*more governing*). Common noun partners include *party*, *body*, *board*, *council*, *coalition*.

常見錯誤

❌The governmental party lost the election.
✅The governing party lost the election.
💡'Governmental' describes the structure of government; 'governing' describes the group that currently holds power.

2. used to describe something that has the strongest effect or largest impact on ho

2.形容詞B2
釋義

used to describe something that has the strongest effect or largest impact on how a situation develops or how decisions are made — for example, a rule that shapes a whole system, or a concern that overrides all others

例句

The governing principle of the school is respect for every student.

governing principle — the main rule that guides everything

Price was the governing factor when the Watanabe family chose their new apartment.

governing factor — the most important element in a decision

同義詞
  • dominant

    stronger emphasis on being the most noticeable or powerful factor

  • prevailing

    focuses on being the most common or widespread at a given time

  • guiding

    softer in tone; suggests direction rather than control ('guiding principle')

反義詞
  • minor

    describes something that has little effect on the outcome

  • secondary

    describes something that is less important than the main factor

文法句型

governing + abstract noun (principle, factor, idea, concern, force)

用法筆記

Always used before a noun; not used in comparative form. Common before abstract nouns such as *principle*, *factor*, *concern*, *idea*, *force*. Unlike Sense 1, this sense does NOT refer to political or institutional authority — it describes an idea or condition that shapes outcomes.

常見錯誤

❌The governing factor of this decision was my boss.
✅The governing factor in this decision was the cost.
💡This sense describes abstract influences (rules, prices, concerns), not people who make decisions.