Gov·ern v. t. [imp. & p. p. Governed p. pr. & vb. n. Governing.]
1. To direct and control, as the actions or conduct of men, either by established laws or by arbitrary will; to regulate by authority. “Fit to govern and rule multitudes.”
2. To regulate; to influence; to direct; to restrain; to manage; as, to govern the life; to govern a horse.
Govern well thy appetite. --Milton.
3. Gram. To require to be in a particular case; as, a transitive verb governs a noun in the objective case; or to require (a particular case); as, a transitive verb governs the objective case.
governed
n : the body of people who are citizens of a particular
government; "governments derive their just powers from
the consent of the governed"--Declaration of Independence