governor

noun

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gov·er·nor | \ ˈgə-vᵊn-ər

also ˈgə-vər-nər \

Definition of governor

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

3a slang : one looked upon as governing

b : mister, sir —usually used as a term of address

4a : 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)

Other Words from governor Example Sentences Phrases Containing governor Learn More About governor

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 Board members review cases and hold hearings to decide whether to make recommendations to the governor, who can then take their advice or ignore it. — Jimmy Jenkins, The Arizona Republic, 24 May 2022 The board comprises the governor, the attorney general and the secretary of state. — Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Online, 24 May 2022 Months-long, sometimes contentious battles to be governor, attorney general, secretary of state and for U.S. Senate and House seats will come to a head. — Isabella Murray, ABC News, 24 May 2022 Sarah Huckabee Sanders — once Trump's press secretary — is running for Arkansas governor, a role her father once held. — Amy Nakamura, USA TODAY, 24 May 2022 Among the races on the ballots are nominations for governor, U.S. Senator, Congress, state representatives and senators and more. — Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 23 May 2022 Donetsk’s regional governor, Pavlo Kyrylenko, said three civilians died in Russian attacks there Monday and heavy fighting continued near the Luhansk region. — Anchorage Daily News, 23 May 2022 Youngkin’s action to restore rights presents a softer image of the new governor, who stressed law-and-order themes during his campaign last year against McAuliffe, who was seeking a comeback. — Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 21 May 2022 Newsom is running for re-election to a second term as California governor, which would last through 2026. — Sophia Bollag, San Francisco Chronicle, 20 May 2022 See More

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

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Dictionary Entries Near governor

government paper

governor

governor's council

Statistics for governor

Last Updated

26 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Governor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/governor. Accessed 26 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for governor

governor

noun

gov·er·nor | \ ˈgə-vər-nər

, ˈgə-və-nər \

Kids Definition of governor

: a person who governs and especially the elected head of a state of the United States

governor

noun

gov·er·nor | \ ˈgə-vər-nər

Legal Definition of governor

: 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