Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - government

~ n 1 also Government the group of people who govern a country or state  (The new military government does not have popular support.)  (also + plural v)  (The Government are planning further cuts in public spending. | government policy/funding/statistics)  (Government statistics show an increase in unemployment. | form a government (=become the government after an election in a parliamentary system))  (Which party will form the next goverment? | under a government (=during the period of a government))  (changes in policy under the last Labour government) 2 a form or system of government  (the return to democratic government | local government (=the government of towns, cities etc) | central government (=the government of a whole country)) 3 the act or process of governing  (Government has been entrusted to the elected politicians. | be in government (=be governing a country))  (How long have the Christian Democrats been in government?) 4 especially AmE the degree to which the government controls economic and social activities  (a pledge of less government and greater personal freedom)