Other forms: governments
The government is the group of people who run a country. The government announced, a change of government, government policy.
British and American usage differ in a way that shows up constantly. In Britain, government usually means the party in power and takes a plural verb — the government have decided — and a new government means a new administration. In America, the government means the whole apparatus of the state and takes a singular verb. The word also works as an uncountable for the activity itself: the business of government. Note the spelling, which loses its middle n in almost everybody's speech and must keep it in writing.
1noungovernmentThe group of people who run a country.
“The government has promised a decision by spring.”
synonyms: administration, ministry
2nounactivityThe activity of running a country.
“Local government is where most of the work happens.”
3nounparticularA particular period of rule by one party or leader.
“It was built under the previous government.”
Too few real examples of this word to estimate which sense is commonest.
government is a governing body.
Latin gubernare meant to steer a ship, borrowed from Greek kybernan — the same word that gives cybernetics and so cyberspace. Governing has always been steering, and a governor was originally a helmsman.
Middle English
governement
English, today
government
From Middle English governement. From Middle English governement, from Old French governement (modern French gouvernement), from governer (see govern) + -ment. Morphologically govern + ment. Displaced native Old English gerec, leodweard, ræden, rǣding and ealdordōm.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA