governor

noun

gov·​er·​nor ˈgə-vᵊn-ər 

 also  ˈgə-vər-nər

1

: one that governs: such as

a

: one that exercises authority especially over an area or group

b

: an official elected or appointed to act as ruler, chief executive, or nominal head of a political unit

c

: commanding officer

d

: the managing director and usually the principal officer of an institution or organization

e

: a member of a group that directs or controls an institution or society

2

: tutor

3

a

slang : one looked upon as governing

b

: mister, sir

—usually used as a term of address

4

a

: an attachment to a machine (such as a gasoline engine) for automatic control or limitation of speed

b

: a device giving automatic control (as of pressure or temperature)

governorate

ˈgə-vᵊn-ər-ət 

-ˌāt

 also  ˈgə-vər-nər-

noun

Examples of governor in a Sentence

the governor of the state of Florida

He was the chairman of the board of governors at the school.

the governor of the Bank of England

Wait here while I get the governor.

Recent Examples on the Web

The invitation, which the governor’s office said was emailed to Trump’s team, marked a slight change in tone in the political battle between Newsom and Trump, with Newsom imploring Trump not to politicize the tragedy. —Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025

The governor’s office said, as opposed to the federal regulation that threatened Cleveland Cliff’s steel mill in Butler County, a solution to U.S. Steel economic woes isn’t as clear-cut. —Christen Smith | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Jan. 2025

Earlier this week, Welch embarrassed Pritzker by squashing a bill the governor had made a high priority; specifically, to bar the sale of potent gummies infused with synthetic THC to children. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2025

Power outages and Texas grid Gov. Greg Abbott expressed confidence in the Texas power grid during a news conference Wednesday, when the governor and other state officials gave updates on preparations for the frigid temperatures expected in much of the state. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing governor

• governor-general
• lieutenant governor

Kids Definition

governor

noun

gov·​er·​nor ˈgəv(-ə)-nər 

 also  ˈgəv-ər-nər

1

: one that governs

especially : an official elected or appointed to act as ruler, chief executive, or head of a political unit (as a colony, state, or province)

2

: an attachment to a machine for automatic control of speed

governorship

-ˌship

noun

Legal Definition

governor

noun

gov·​er·​nor ˈgə-vər-nər 

: one that governs: as

a

: one that exercises authority especially over an area or group

b

: an official elected or appointed to act as ruler, chief executive, or nominal head of a political unit

specifically : the chief executive of a U.S. state

c

: the managing director and usually the principal officer of an institution or organization

d

: a member of a group that controls or directs an institution

the Federal Reserve System's Board of Governors

governorship noun