# governance

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɡʌvənəns/ · frequency rank #6,145

## Definitions
1. The process, or the power, of governing; government or administration.
2. The specific system by which a political system is ruled.
3. The group of people who make up an administrative body.
4. The state of being governed.
5. Accountability for consistent, cohesive policies, processes and decision rights.

## Etymology
From Middle English governaunce, from Old French gouvernance, governance, equivalent to govern + -ance.

## Common misspellings (16)
`ggovernance`, `goevrnance`, `govenrance`, `goverannce`, `governacne`, `governancce`, `governanec`, `governannce`, `governence`, `governnace`, `governnance`, `goverrnance`, `govrenance`, `govvernance`, `gvoernance`, `ogvernance`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/governance