governor

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

governorate

2 of 2

noun (2)

gov·​er·​nor·​ate -nərə̇t 

-ˌrāt

plural -s

: an administrative division ruled by a governor

Egypt is divided into … five governorates

—Egypt Almanac

Examples of governor in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

Noun

The Democratic nominee for governor spoke about her plans to reform the public education system, make healthcare and electricity more affordable and combat data centers. — Maven Navarro updated August 26, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026

Florida is launching a new initiative to encourage more students to choose careers in emergency management, which the governor announced a week after a shakeup in leadership at the state’s Department of Emergency Management. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

Bonta said that pending approval by the Legislature and governor, the settlement will be earmarked for purposes related to the prevention or remediation of mental health or other harms to young Californians associated with social media use. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026

The California governor and legislature would decide how most of that money will be spent, Bonta said, but it will be used to address child safety on social media. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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