governing, government activity, governance, government - the act of governing; exercising authority; "regulations for the governing of state prisons"; "he had considerable experience of government"

jurisprudence, law - the collection of rules imposed by authority; "civilization presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order"

U.S.A., United States, United States of America, US, USA, America, U.S. - North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776