Etymology Map
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Government

4 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means the group of people with authority to run a country or state

Where does the word "government" come from? It comes from Greek kybernan, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 4
kybernan
Greek · ancient
"to steer"
to steer a ship; also the source of 'cybernetics'
2
Stage 2 of 4
gubernāre
Latin · ancient
"to steer, govern"
borrowed from Greek; Romans used the steering image for ruling a state
3
Stage 3 of 4
governement
Old French · medieval
"rule, management"
the act of ruling or managing
4
Stage 4 of 4
government
English · 1300s
"governing body"
the sense 'the governing body of a state' dates from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Government’s story begins in Greek: kybernan meant “to steer.” To steer a ship; also the source of 'cybernetics'. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as gubernāre. Borrowed from Greek; Romans used the steering image for ruling a state. From there it passed into Old French as governement by medieval. The act of ruling or managing. It reached English by 1300s as government. The sense 'the governing body of a state' dates from the 1700s. Today, government means the group of people with authority to run a country or state.