governor-general
noun
gov·er·nor-gen·er·al
ˈgə-vᵊn-ər-ˈjen-rəl 
-ˈje-nə-,
also ˈgə-vər-nər-
plural governors-general or governor-generals
: a governor of high rank
especially
: one who governs a large territory or has deputy governors under him
Examples of governor-general in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
By 1801, Louverture sat at the head of the colony under the title of governor-general.
—
Marlene L. Daut
september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
In an interview with Variety from the film’s set in the Philippines, Glen discussed his preparation for inhabiting the role of Wood, who served as governor-general of the Philippines from 1921-1927 and was instrumental in Manuel L. Quezon’s quest for Philippine independence from the United States.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 Apr. 2025
During his time in Manila, where he had been posted as ambassador to help stabilize the coup-prone administration of Corazon Aquino, his office was part of the old American governor-general’s suite.
—Alan Cowell, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
They were welcomed for their official arrival by Australia’s governor-general Sam Mostyn, the King’s representative in the country, and her husband Simeon Beckett.
—Simon Perry, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024
Pamela spent part of her childhood in Australia, where Kenny had been dispatched as military secretary to the governor-general.
—Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2024
Burke spearheaded the impeachment trial of Warren Hastings, the East India Company’s governor-general of Bengal, in the House of Lords, outraged not by Great Britain’s imperial ambition but with Hasting’s conduct and that of East India Company officials, whom Burke derided.
—Caroline Elkins, Foreign Affairs, 22 Aug. 2023
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Marlene L. Daut
september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
In an interview with Variety from the film’s set in the Philippines, Glen discussed his preparation for inhabiting the role of Wood, who served as governor-general of the Philippines from 1921-1927 and was instrumental in Manuel L. Quezon’s quest for Philippine independence from the United States.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 Apr. 2025
During his time in Manila, where he had been posted as ambassador to help stabilize the coup-prone administration of Corazon Aquino, his office was part of the old American governor-general’s suite.
—Alan Cowell, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
They were welcomed for their official arrival by Australia’s governor-general Sam Mostyn, the King’s representative in the country, and her husband Simeon Beckett.
—Simon Perry, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024
Pamela spent part of her childhood in Australia, where Kenny had been dispatched as military secretary to the governor-general.
—Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2024
Burke spearheaded the impeachment trial of Warren Hastings, the East India Company’s governor-general of Bengal, in the House of Lords, outraged not by Great Britain’s imperial ambition but with Hasting’s conduct and that of East India Company officials, whom Burke derided.
—Caroline Elkins, Foreign Affairs, 22 Aug. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Governor-general.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/governor-general. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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