governance
gb/ɡˈʌvɚnəns/ us/ɡˈʌvɚnəns/
B2
English
~ 4900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
B2
action
1
the act of governing
The way that an organization, country, or group is controlled and managed.
Usage pattern:
[something]'s governance
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'governance' with 'government'; 'government' refers to the body of people in power, while 'governance' refers to the process or quality of governing.
Synonyms
administration (Often used for day-to-day management rather than the broader system of control.)
|
management (Common in business contexts; can be narrower than 'governance'.)
|
rule (More general and can imply authority without formal structures.)
Antonyms
mismanagement (Refers to poor or ineffective control and direction.)
|
anarchy (The absence of any governing authority or order.)
Collocations
corporate governance
|good governance
|public governance
|governance structure
|governance system
Themes
politics
|business
|management
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Good governance is essential for economic growth.
- The company improved its governance after the scandal.
- International organizations promote governance reforms in developing countries.
- The board is responsible for the governance of the charity.
- Her research focuses on environmental governance.
Learner examples
- Good governance helps a country grow.
- The school has new rules for better governance.
- Governance is important in big companies.
- Governance means how leaders manage a group.
- They study governance in class.
Grammar
Dictionary form
governance
IPA
GB/ɡˈʌvɚnəns/
US/ɡˈʌvɚnəns/
Syllables & stress
gov - ernance (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (gov)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: governance
- Plural: governance
Word family
Core family
Related words
governing
adjective
governable
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
ungovernable
adjective
Advanced or less common
governorship
noun
Expressions
environmental governance
1/ɪnvˌaɪɹənmˈɛntəl ɡˈʌvɚnəns/
fixed phrase
formal
managing environmental policies
The way that decisions about the environment are made and enforced.
Examples
- Environmental governance involves both government agencies and local communities.
- Better environmental governance can help fight climate change.
good governance
1/ɡˈʊd ɡˈʌvɚnəns/
fixed phrase
formal
effective and ethical governing
When an organization or country is managed well and fairly.
Examples
- Good governance builds trust between leaders and citizens.
- Many aid programs aim to promote good governance in developing nations.
corporate governance
1/kˈɔɹpɚɪt ɡˈʌvɚnəns/
fixed phrase
formal
System for controlling a company
The way rules and decisions are made in a company.
Examples
- Good corporate governance is essential for investor trust.
- Corporate governance ensures that companies act in the interests of shareholders.
- They are reviewing their corporate governance policies.
- The scandal led to stricter corporate governance policies.