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

And everywhere there are photographs — of governors and lawmakers, local leaders and beloved relatives. — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 30 July 2026

Republicans are trying to reclaim the governor’s mansion after an eight-year absence. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026

Alex Villalobos was an opponent of some education initiatives from former governor Jeb Bush, including Bush’s effort to put school vouchers in the constitution. — Austin Horn july 30, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

However, If a governor is elected for a term of fewer than three years, that term will not apply against governor term limits. — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 29 July 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