If you’re looking for the correct definition and abbreviation for the word government, you’ve come to the right place! In our short and sweet guide, we’ll review the correct abbreviation for this word, its definitions, its history, synonyms, and much more.
Let’s start with the main question—what’s the abbreviation for government?
There is only one abbreviation for the word government:
Govt.
This abbreviation can also be written with any variation of capitalization and punctuation: Govt., Govt, govt, or govt. Government websites also use the .gov domain name, so some people have begun using that abbreviation as well.
Your writing, at its best
Compose bold, clear, mistake-free, writing with Grammarly's AI-powered writing assistant
● the political direction and control exercised over the actions of the members, citizens, or inhabitants of communities, societies, and states; direction of the affairs of a state, community, etc.; political administration:
Government is necessary to the existence of civilized society.
● the form or system of rule by which a state, community, etc., is governed:
monarchical government; episcopal government.
● the governing body of persons in a state, community, etc.; administration.
● a branch or service of the supreme authority of a state or nation, taken as representing the whole:
a dam built by the government.
● (in some parliamentary systems, as that of the United Kingdom)
– the particular group of persons forming the cabinet at any given time:
The word government entered the English language in the late 14th century, according to The Online Etymology Dictionary. The word evolved from the Old French governement, meaning “control, direction, administration.”It is also derived from the Latin word gubernare, or “to direct, rule, guide, govern.”
The earliest record of the word being used as “governing power” comes from 1702.
When to Use the Abbreviation
The most common use of this abbreviation can be found referring to the ruling body of a nation, such as the United States Government. Govt. is widely used for shorthand notes, and it is universally accepted. Gov is typically reserved for websites, e.g., www.usa.gov.
Other common places to abbreviate government include on business cards or headlines in publications. The abbreviation is particularly useful when you have limited space. It is common practice to use the abbreviation in a headline, then feature the full word in the body text.
It’s typically not used in formal writing. The abbreviation is commonly used in titles for those employed with advisory committees or advisory councils, federal government agencies, and national institutes.
Examples of the Word and Abbreviation in Context
The government appealed the verdict, arguing it should only repatriate the children, not their mothers. —The Wall Street Journal
Heavily indebted Lebanon has been without effective government since Saad al-Hariri resigned as premier in October under pressure from protests against state corruption and waste – root causes of the crisis. —Reuters
Changing tack, French strikers turn off power to press govt | PARIS (AP) — Opening another front in their battle against the French government, protesting workers cut power to thousands of Parisians on Tuesday, plunging homes into darkness and shutting down trains to one of the capital’s main airports. —AP News
Three Iraq protesters killed as anger boils over govt ‘procrastination’ | Baghdad (AFP) – Three Iraqi protesters were killed in the capital as thousands of anti-government demonstrators sought to shut streets across the country on Monday, their deadline for authorities to implement long-awaited reforms. —Yahoo! News
Other Useful U.S. Government Acronyms and Abbreviations
ACF | Administration for Children and Families
BIA | Bureau of Indian Affairs
BLS | Bureau of Labor Statistics
DHS | Department of Homeland Security
DOH | Department of Health
DOJ | Department of Justice
DOL | Department of Labor
FBI | Federal Bureau of Investigation
FDA | Food and Drug Administration
GPO | Government Publishing Office (also Government Printing Office)
GSA | General Services Administration
HHS | Health and Human Services
IRS | Internal Revenue Service
KO | Contracting Officer
MOU | Memorandum of Understanding
OSHA | Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.
