governess

noun gov·ern·ess \ ˈgə-vər-nəs \

|Updated on: 12 Jul 2018

Definition of governess

1 : a woman who governs

2 : a woman who cares for and supervises a child especially in a private household

See governess defined for English-language learners

See governess defined for kids

Recent Examples of governess from the Web

In her 20s, Farmer was finally allowed to work, becoming a kind of governess in the home of a wealthy family friend.

— julia moskin, New York Times, "Overlooked No More: Fannie Farmer, Modern Cookery’s Pioneer," 13 June 2018
The Chalk Garden Revival of Enid Bagnold’s comedy about a British dowager who hires a mysterious woman as a gardener and governess.

— matt cooper, latimes.com, "The week ahead in SoCal theater: 'The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui' and more," 22 June 2018
Victor sent them to live with German relatives in the summer and eventually hired a German governess.

— daniel de vise, Chicago Reader, "How two Belgian boys became the youngest kids to bike across the U.S.—in 1935," 21 June 2018
Later, along with her little brother and governess, Esme walks into the tea room where the soldier has taken refuge from the rain.

— lauren markham, Longreads, "For Me, With Love and Squalor," 7 June 2018
Photo: Wikipedia Commons Photo: Wikipedia Commons Reiche was emigrated to Peru in 1932 to be a governess for children of the German consulate there.

— angela chen, The Verge, "Today’s Google Doodle celebrates the scientist who studied the mysterious desert lines of Peru," 15 May 2018
The Sound of Music’’ starred Mary Martin — then just weeks away from her 46th birthday — as Maria, the young postulant who leaves an abbey to become a governess to the von Trapp family.

— don aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, "There’s no solving a problem like ‘The Sound of Music’," 3 May 2018
Her mother and governess both had German roots, so Victoria grew up speaking the language and later used it frequently when speaking to her German husband, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

— chanel vargas, Town & Country, "16 Fascinating Facts You Didn't Know About Queen Victoria," 4 Jan. 2018
Supporting players are equally fun: Blake Aburn as a prim yet sassy governess and Eric Desnoyers as her lug of a love interest, Drew Mierzejewski as Molly’s serious-minded father, Jonathon Timpanelli as goofy Smee.

— matthew j. palm, OrlandoSentinel.com, "St. Luke's 'Peter and the Starcatcher' takes flight," 13 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'governess.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of governess

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Other Job Terms

factotum, milliner, ostler, scrivener, tinker, webster, wordsmith

GOVERNESS Defined for English Language Learners

governess

noun

Definition of governess for English Language Learners

: a woman who is paid to care for and teach a child in the child's house

GOVERNESS Defined for Kids

governess

noun gov·ern·ess \ ˈgə-vər-nəs \

Definition of governess for Students

: a woman who teaches and trains a child especially in a private home

Learn More about governess

Spanish Central: Translation of governess Nglish: Translation of governess for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of governess for Arabic speakers

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governess

Definition of governess

Recent Examples of governess from the Web

First Known Use of governess

Other Job Terms

GOVERNESS Defined for English Language Learners

governess

Definition of governess for English Language Learners

GOVERNESS Defined for Kids

governess

Definition of governess for Students

Learn More about governess

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