Definition of governor
1 : one that governs: such asa : one that exercises authority especially over an area or groupb : an official elected or appointed to act as ruler, chief executive, or nominal head of a political unitc : commanding officerd : the managing director and usually the principal officer of an institution or organizatione : a member of a group that directs or controls an institution or society
2 : tutor
3a slang : one looked upon as governingb : 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 speedb : 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 of governor from the Web
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Every candidate, from governor to senator to attorney general, assures me that plans are already in place with neighboring states to form a buttress against the damage this administration has and will continue to cause.
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A true believer in the prowess of the private sector, the governor's ire at the prospect of the state forcing companies to raise their hourly wage is understandable.
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Ahead of peak tourism season, Maine’s Republican governor is pursuing an unconventional strategy to help ease the state’s labor shortage: releasing nonviolent offenders from prison early to get them back to work.
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Wilcox's legislation changed forms several times over the course of the recent legislative session; it eventually was approved by both houses and sent to the governor on May 19.
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Now, with a coal operator in the governor’s office and an outspoken advocate for coal in the White House, many are watching for signs of life from a business that once represented the living embodiment of an industry on the move.
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Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas said the governor and Legislature took actions to support local communities and listened to local leaders, knowing that's where the most impact can be made on citizens.
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Alfredo del Mazo, the ruling party’s candidate, is the son of one former governor of the state and grandson of another—both from Atlacomulco.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger, who served as governor from 2003 to 2011, and led the state in developing the most aggressive pollution-control programs in the nation, has emerged as one of Mr. Trump’s biggest Republican critics.
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.
14th Century
First Known Use of governor
14th century
GOVERNOR Defined for English Language Learners
governor
playDefinition of governor for English Language Learners
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: a person who is the leader of the government of a state, province, etc.
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: a person who is part of a group of people who control a large organization, school, etc.
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: a person who is in charge of a school, prison, or other large organization or institution
GOVERNOR Defined for Kids
governor
playDefinition of governor for Students
: a person who governs and especially the elected head of a state of the United States
Law Dictionary
governor
playLegal 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
governorship
nounLearn More about governor
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Spanish Central: Translation of governor Nglish: Translation of governor for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of governor for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about governor
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