n. the act of governing; exercising authority; "regulations for the governing of state prisons"; "he had considerable experience of government"

n. the persons (or committees or departments etc.) who make up a body for the purpose of administering something; "he claims that the present administration is corrupt"; "the governance of an association is responsible to its members"; "he quickly became recognized as a member of the establishment"

n. the act of conferring legality or sanction or formal warrant

n. management by overseeing the performance or operation of a person or group

n. nonelective government officials

n. persons appointed by a head of state to head executive departments of government and act as official advisers

n. the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit; "the government reduced taxes"; "the matter was referred to higher authorities"

n. business concerns collectively; "Government and business could not agree"

n. an organization to gain political power; "in 1992 Perot tried to organize a third party at the national level"