governmental
guhvn-MEHNTL
Governmental (adjective) means relating to a government or to the act of governing. Example: “Several governmental departments worked together to plan the new road.”
adjective
1
Relating to a government or to the act of governing.
"Several governmental departments worked together to plan the new road."
"She has held a governmental post for most of her working life."
"According to the lawmakers who introduced the bill, Lawler and Gottheimer, H.R. 867 "amends the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to include international governmental organizations (IGOs) in existing anti-boycott laws.""
— Jason Lemon, MAGA Leaders Defend Americans' Right to Boycott Israel (2025)
"The charity relies on governmental funding as well as private donations."
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more governmental
- Superlative
- most governmental
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Several _____ departments worked together to plan the new road.
Etymology
Formed from "government" plus the adjective ending "-al".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
non-governmental
Related words
Rhymes for governmental
mental
dental
rental
parental
Oriental
elemental
accidental
ornamental
judgmental
incidental
monumental
regimental
See all rhymes for governmental →
Frequently asked questions
What does “governmental” mean?
The word “governmental” means relating to a government or to the act of governing.
How do you pronounce “governmental”?
“Governmental” is pronounced guhvn-MEHNTL (/ˌɡʌvɚnˈmɛnt(ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “governmental” in a sentence?
Here is “governmental” used in a sentence: “The charity relies on governmental funding as well as private donations.”
What is the opposite of “governmental”?
The opposite of “governmental” — its antonyms — is non-governmental.
What part of speech is “governmental”?
“Governmental” is an adjective.
Is “governmental” a common word?
“Governmental” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between 'governmental' and 'political'?
Governmental relates specifically to a government or the act of governing, such as governmental agencies or governmental policy, while political relates more broadly to politics, power, and public affairs, including activity outside formal government structures. Something can be political without being governmental, such as a political rally organized by private citizens.
What is the difference between 'governmental' and 'government' used as an adjective?</question>
Both can modify a noun, as in "governmental agencies" versus "government agencies," and they mean essentially the same thing. "Government" used attributively is more common and concise in everyday writing, while "governmental" is often preferred in more formal or academic contexts.
What kinds of nouns commonly follow 'governmental'?
Common collocations include "governmental agency," "governmental authority," "governmental policy," and "governmental regulation," all relating to a government or the act of governing. These pairings appear frequently in legal, political, and academic writing.
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