Meaning

noun the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

noun the act of governing; exercising authority

noun (government) the system or form by which a community or other political unit is governed

originFrom 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 3.0