#1 governance n. [administration, governing body, establishment, brass, organization, organisation] the persons (or committees or departments etc.) who make up a body for the purpose of administering something; "he claims that the present administration is corrupt"; "the governance of an association is responsible to its members"; "he quickly became rec. wn #2 governance n. [government, governing, government activity, administration] the act of governing; exercising authority; "regulations for the governing of state prisons"; "he had considerable experience of government". wn