government
/ˈɡʌvənmənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡʌvərnmənt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgə-vər(n)-mənt -və-mənt; ˈgə-bᵊm-ənt, -vᵊm-/ (ame, mw)
government — noun
- governmentsingular
- governmentsplural
1. The people who have the power to create laws and manage public affairs in a coun
The people who have the power to create laws and manage public affairs in a country.
The government announced a plan to build new hospitals across the country.
subject: the government + verb
Citizens voted for a new government during the national election in March.
The French government introduced a law to reduce plastic waste in the ocean.
Chidi wrote to the government asking for better roads in his village.
In Finland, the government provides free school meals for all children up to the age of sixteen.
- administration
more common in US English; often refers to a specific president's team
- authorities
plural; broader, includes police and regulatory bodies
- regime
often negative; suggests an undemocratic or strict government
- opposition
the political party or group that is not in power
文法句型
the government + singular/plural verb
用法筆記
In British English, government can take either a singular or plural verb. 'The government is...' treats it as a single unit; 'the government are...' emphasises the individual members.
常見錯誤
2. A particular set of rules, institutions, and processes for directing a nation, c
A particular set of rules, institutions, and processes for directing a nation, city, or community.
In Japan's democratic government, citizens vote for members of parliament every four years.
adjective + government describing a system type
Under Chile's military government in the 1970s, the army controlled most major decisions in the country.
under + [type of] government
The local government in Greta's town holds a public meeting every month.
Switzerland's federal government shares power with each of its twenty-six cantons on matters like education and healthcare.
Singapore's stable government has helped attract international businesses and create jobs in the port and finance sectors.
- system
broader; can refer to any organised set of rules, not just political
- political system
more formal and specific to politics
文法句型
[adjective] government
a form/system of government
用法筆記
This sense is often modified by adjectives that describe the type of rule: democratic, authoritarian, federal, central, local, military, provisional.
常見錯誤
3. The ongoing work of running a country, including making decisions, creating laws
The ongoing work of running a country, including making decisions, creating laws, and managing public services.
When the transport minister proposed a new highway, the government faced tough budget choices about education.
government involves + [difficult choice]
In New Zealand, transparent government means citizens can read official reports explaining how ministers reached policy decisions.
transparent government + citizens can access information
Takeshi studied how government works in different countries for his university project.
After Taiwan's election, good government required both parties to cooperate on a new environmental law.
Mayor Yamamoto's role in government includes managing the city budget for Osaka's train system and waste collection.
- governance
more formal; often used in academic or business contexts
- administration
can refer to the process of managing public affairs
文法句型
in government
the work of government
常見錯誤
4. The official administrative body of a particular country or region, referred to
The official administrative body of a particular country or region, referred to by name as a single institutional entity.
The UK government signed a new trade agreement with Japan last December.
the [country name] government
The Indian government launched a program to provide clean water to rural villages.
The Egyptian government invested in solar energy projects across the desert region.
Talia read a report about the Brazilian government's plan to protect the Amazon forest.
- administration
common in US English for a presidential team; e.g. 'the Biden administration'
- regime
sometimes used for a specific government, but can carry a negative tone
文法句型
the [country/region] government
常見錯誤
5. An academic subject that examines how political power is organised and how natio
An academic subject that examines how political power is organised and how nations are run.
Maeve is taking a class in government to understand how political systems work.
class/course in government
Professor Okafor has taught government at the university for over twenty years.
In her government class at Seoul National University, Sumin learned how South Korea's health policies compare with Canada's.
Lauren earned a degree in government and then found a job in public policy.
- political science
more formal and precise; the standard name for this academic discipline
- civics
more basic; focuses on the rights and duties of citizens
文法句型
study + government
government + class/course
用法筆記
In this sense, government is uncountable and has no article. It is treated like a school subject name, similar to 'history' or 'economics'.