gov·ern·ment 
/ˈgʌvɚmənt/ noun
plural gov·ern·ments /ˈgʌvɚmənt/ noun 1 [count] : the group of people who control and make decisions for a country, state, etc.
▪ The government has been slow to react to the crisis. ▪ She works for the federal government. ▪ the national/central government ▪ We need to improve relations with foreign governments. ▪ the British government ▪ a corrupt/powerful/weak government — often used before another noun ▪ They have promised to reduce government spending. ▪ a government agency/official/program ▪ government policies and regulations ◊In British English, government is used with both singular and plural verbs.
▪ The government is/are working on the problem. — see also local government, student government 2 [noncount] a : a particular system used for controlling a country, state, etc.
▪ He is a firm believer in democratic/representative government.
b : the process or manner of controlling a country, state, etc.
▪ We learned about different methods/systems of government. ▪ The country has been damaged by many years of weak/corrupt government. — see also big government
▪ The government has been slow to react to the crisis. ▪ She works for the federal government. ▪ the national/central government ▪ We need to improve relations with foreign governments. ▪ the British government ▪ a corrupt/powerful/weak government — often used before another noun ▪ They have promised to reduce government spending. ▪ a government agency/official/program ▪ government policies and regulations ◊In British English, government is used with both singular and plural verbs.
▪ The government is/are working on the problem. — see also local government, student government
▪ He is a firm believer in democratic/representative government.
b : the process or manner of controlling a country, state, etc.
▪ We learned about different methods/systems of government. ▪ The country has been damaged by many years of weak/corrupt government. — see also big government
— gov·ern·men·tal /ˌgʌvɚnˈmɛntl̟/ adjective
▪ governmental agencies ▪ The law provides governmental protection for investors.
/ˌgʌvɚnˈmɛntl̟/ adjective ▪ governmental agencies ▪ The law provides governmental protection for investors.
— gov·ern·men·tal·ly /ˌgʌvɚnˈmɛntl̟i/ adverb
▪ governmentally funded programs
/ˌgʌvɚnˈmɛntl̟i/ adverb ▪ governmentally funded programs
