Topic: GOVERNMENT

government
noun

gov‧ern‧ment S2 W1 See pronunciation table in "How to use dictionary" pages

1 also Government [C usually singular also + plural verb British English] the group of people who govern a country or state:

The Government are planning further cuts in public spending.

The US government has tightened restrictions on firearms.

Neither party had the majority necessary to form a government (=become the government after an election).

democratic/totalitarian etc government

The country now has a democratic government for the first time.

A coalition government (=government made up of members of several political parties) will now be established.

under a government (=during the period of a government)

Structural reforms are unlikely under the present government.

a meeting with government officials

the restructuring of government departments

Government spending on health care totals about $60 billion a year.

2 [uncountable] a form or system of government:

Most people in the country support the return to democratic government.

3 [uncountable] the process or way of governing

in government

What would the opposition do if they were in government (=governing the country)?

the importance of good government in developing countries

4 [uncountable] American English the degree to which the government controls economic and social activities:

The protest march was really about big government (=when the government controls many activities).

government