governor

gov·er·nor

noun \ˈgə-v^ən-ər also ˈgə-vər-nər\

Definition of GOVERNOR

1

: 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

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 (as a gasoline engine) for automatic control or limitation of speed

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

— gov·er·nor·ate \-ət, -ˌāt\ noun

Examples of GOVERNOR

1. the governor of the state of Florida
2. He was the chairman of the board of governors at the school.
3. the governor of the Bank of England
4. Wait here while I get the governor.

First Known Use of GOVERNOR

14th century

governor

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In technology, a device that automatically maintains the rotary speed of an engine within reasonably close limits regardless of the load. A typical governor regulates an engine's speed by varying the rate at which fuel or working fluid is furnished to it. Nearly all governors work by centrifugal force and consist of a pair of masses rotating about a spindle driven by the engine and kept from flying outward, usually by springs. With an increase in speed, the controlling force of the springs is overcome and the masses move outward, opening valves supplying the engine with its working fluid or fuel. James Watt invented a governor for controlling steam engines. Modern governors are used to regulate the flow of gasoline to internal-combustion engines and the flow of steam, water, or gas to various types of turbines. See also flywheel.