governor

noun

gov·​er·​nor ˈgə-vᵊn-ər 

also ˈgə-vər-nər

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

the state's governor

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

the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve

2

: tutor

3

a

slang : one looked upon as governing

b

British, informal : mister, sir

—usually used as a term of address

4

a

: 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)

governorate

ˈgə-vᵊn-ər-ət 

-ˌāt

also ˈgə-vər-nər-

noun

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

Warner, who has refused to debate, is seeking a fourth term in the Senate and previously served as Virginia’s governor. — Amy Delaura, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2026

When not typing tracts disguised as novels, Sinclair ran regularly and unsuccessfully for political office — the House, the Senate, and, in 1930, the governor of California. — Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026

The governor also signed legislation to require more transparency from social media influencers who are paid by political campaigns. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

Prominent business and manufacturing organizations had called on the governor to hold the line against the environmental groups and reject the bill. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing governor

• governor-general
• lieutenant governor

Kids Definition

governor

noun

gov·​er·​nor ˈgəv(-ə)-nər 

also ˈgəv-ər-nər

1

: one that governs

especially : an official elected or appointed to act as ruler, chief executive, or head of a political unit (as a colony, state, or province)

2

: an attachment to a machine for automatic control of speed

governorship

-ˌship

noun

Legal Definition

governor

noun

gov·​er·​nor ˈgə-vər-nər 

: 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 noun