[kbolino]

The term "government" has multiple meanings, but the most direct and common meaning is for the entire apparatus of state power, literally "the instrument which governs". This is true in all places that speak English, the United Kingdom included.

In the United States, we use the term "administration" to refer to an executive, his cabinet, and other associated officials. However, we still recognize the (not-so-subtle) distinction between the administration and the government as a whole; our government, as yours, is divided into three separate branches, and then again into many departments, agencies, committees, circuits, districts, and other subdivisions thereof.

[mjwalshe]

Err the UK does not have a tripartate separation - there is a world out side of SV and the USA

[kbolino]

SV = El Salvador? South Vietnam?

I suppose you mean Silicon Valley, but I live on the East Coast (~3000 miles away). Also, our "tripartite separation" is based on yours, with the President taking the place of the Monarch/Prime Minister, the Congress taking the place of Parliament, and the Judiciary being roughly the same (we even use the same style of law, called common law, whereas most non-English-speaking countries use civil law).

[Zak]

The UK seems to have more crossover between legislative and executive functions, but the separation does exist, more or less. Parliament makes the laws. Various ministers execute the laws. The courts interpret the laws.