Govern

verb

1. To make and administer the public policy and affairs of; to exercise sovereign authority in.

   "The old king governed the land wisely."

2. To control the actions or behavior of; to keep under control; to restrain.

   "Govern yourselves like civilized people."

3. To exercise a deciding or determining influence on.

   "Chance governs the outcome of many card games."

4. To control the speed, flow etc. of; to regulate.

   "a valve that governs fuel intake"

5. To exercise political authority; to run a government.