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)

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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 governor’s office denied Newsom dined in the restaurant. — Michael Lee, Washington Examiner, "Newsom posts video of himself inside Fresno restaurant despite restrictions banning indoor dining," 28 Feb. 2021 The governor’s office announced that Barbara S. Jones, a former federal judge in Manhattan, would review the matter. — Jimmy Vielkind, WSJ, "Lawmakers Push for New York Attorney General Review of Accusations Against Cuomo," 28 Feb. 2021 The interior of the Colorado State Capitol, which houses the state Senate, House of Representatives, and governor’s office, is temporarily closed, but visitors can still check out its exterior and gleaming gold dome. — Meena Thiruvengadam, Travel + Leisure, "Denver Travel Guide," 25 Feb. 2021 Only legislators, staff, members of the news media, members of the governor’s office and the occasional special guest, such as U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, have been allowed inside. — James Brooks, Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska House member tests positive for COVID-19," 25 Feb. 2021 Ivey easily held on to the governor’s office in the 2018 election. — Dan Mcgowan, BostonGlobe.com, "These former lieutenant governors who became governors have some advice for Dan McKee," 24 Feb. 2021 Six Flags appointments set for Friday were rescheduled for March 3 at the same time of day; second-dose appointments will be March 24, according to the governor’s office. — Washington Post, "Severe weather delays coronavirus vaccine distribution in Va., Md.," 19 Feb. 2021 Robert Clark, who left the Superior Court in January 2019 to join Lamont in the governor’s office as his top legal adviser, has been nominated by Lamont to fill a vacancy on the state Appellate Court. — Russell Blair, courant.com, "Connecticut Politics Week in Review: Gov. Ned Lamont begins further easing of COVID-19 restrictions as case numbers drop," 19 Feb. 2021 The misdemeanor charges for alleged willful neglect of duty were filed in Flint’s Genesee County, but they should have been brought in Lansing, where Snyder worked in the governor’s office, according to a motion filed Jan. 25. — Joe Guillen, Detroit Free Press, "Rick Snyder, other Flint defendants begin to fight new charges," 2 Feb. 2021

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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Last Updated

3 Mar 2021

Cite this Entry

“Governor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/governor. Accessed 8 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for governor

governor

noun

English Language Learners Definition of governor

: a person who is the leader of the government of a state, province, etc.

: a person who is part of a group of people who control a large organization, school, etc.

chiefly British : a person who is in charge of a school, prison, or other large organization or institution

See the full definition for governor in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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

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