governor

noun

gov·​er·​nor ˈgə-vᵊn-ər How to pronounce governor (audio)
 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
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
2
: tutor
3
a
slang : one looked upon as governing
b
: 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 How to pronounce governor (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Another request from the administration filed earlier this month came with the case of the firing of Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, with the Justice Department asking the Supreme Court to allow her to be fired while the case proceeds in lower courts. Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 23 Sep. 2025 The Democratic governor also established a recovery committee to advise on the broader rebuilding effort and has requested additional funding from the federal government for rebuilding. Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2025 At those rates, without a significant change in policy or health care costs, the general fund would be squeezed to nearly nothing in the next 15 years, according to an analysis by the governor's Office of State Planning and Budgeting. Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025 Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann, the only other Republican candidate for governor currently in the race, declined to comment on Berrien's online activities. Daniel Bice, jsonline.com, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for governor

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of governor was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Governor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/governor. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

governor

noun
gov·​er·​nor ˈgəv(-ə)-nər How to pronounce governor (audio)
 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 How to pronounce governor (audio)
: 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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