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
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
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)
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
During the governor’s race, Schmidt’s campaign attempted to appeal to both his right flank and more moderate voters in some ways that ultimately fell flat.
—
Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2024
On the campaign trail for governor, former Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers talks about his experience as a business leader who can grow Indiana’s economy.
—Ryan Martin and Kaitlin Lange, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Apr. 2024
The governor’s recent veto of the Help Not Harm Act, which protects vulnerable Kansas kids from the life-altering effects of medicalized gender transition involving surgeries, hormones, and drugs, could be her most radical move yet.
—Daniel Hawkins, National Review, 25 Apr. 2024
The attack galvanized parents at the school and many others in Tennessee — including the state’s Republican governor — to demand action that could prevent similar violence.
—Rick Rojas, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024
While Volkswagen remained neutral in the Chattanooga campaign, six Southern GOP governors, including Alabama’s, slammed it, warning of potential layoffs to offset higher labor costs.
—J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 24 Apr. 2024
The number will depend on the need from local police agencies, assisting on anything from day-to-day enforcement to larger coordinated operations, according to the governor’s office.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
Each one would have required the governor’s office to issue annual reports on the demographic information of appointees to state boards and commissions.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacramento Bee, 24 Apr. 2024
The average cost in Wisconsin for a 5-kilowatt rooftop system is $14,000 to $19,000 before federal tax credits and local incentives, according to the governor's office.
—Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2024
Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2024
On the campaign trail for governor, former Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers talks about his experience as a business leader who can grow Indiana’s economy.
—Ryan Martin and Kaitlin Lange, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Apr. 2024
The governor’s recent veto of the Help Not Harm Act, which protects vulnerable Kansas kids from the life-altering effects of medicalized gender transition involving surgeries, hormones, and drugs, could be her most radical move yet.
—Daniel Hawkins, National Review, 25 Apr. 2024
The attack galvanized parents at the school and many others in Tennessee — including the state’s Republican governor — to demand action that could prevent similar violence.
—Rick Rojas, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024
While Volkswagen remained neutral in the Chattanooga campaign, six Southern GOP governors, including Alabama’s, slammed it, warning of potential layoffs to offset higher labor costs.
—J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 24 Apr. 2024
The number will depend on the need from local police agencies, assisting on anything from day-to-day enforcement to larger coordinated operations, according to the governor’s office.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
Each one would have required the governor’s office to issue annual reports on the demographic information of appointees to state boards and commissions.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacramento Bee, 24 Apr. 2024
The average cost in Wisconsin for a 5-kilowatt rooftop system is $14,000 to $19,000 before federal tax credits and local incentives, according to the governor's office.
—Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'governor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near governor
Cite this Entry
“Governor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/governor. Accessed 30 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
noun
-ˌship
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
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