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
In the governor's race, McCormick has just a fraction of Braun's war chest.
—
Hayleigh Colombo, The Indianapolis Star, 9 July 2024
In March, the governor said the law was about public safety.
—Lisa J. Huriash, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2024
Over the weekend, Biden campaigned in the swing states of Michigan and Pennsylvania; on Sunday morning, he was greeted in Philadelphia by the state’s governor, Josh Shapiro, and its two senators, Bob Casey and John Fetterman.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 9 July 2024
Moore, the state’s first and the country’s only current Black governor, has remained one of Biden’s staunchest advocates, as well as a coveted campaign surrogate.
—Jeff Barker, Baltimore Sun, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for governor 
Hayleigh Colombo, The Indianapolis Star, 9 July 2024
In March, the governor said the law was about public safety.
—Lisa J. Huriash, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2024
Over the weekend, Biden campaigned in the swing states of Michigan and Pennsylvania; on Sunday morning, he was greeted in Philadelphia by the state’s governor, Josh Shapiro, and its two senators, Bob Casey and John Fetterman.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 9 July 2024
Moore, the state’s first and the country’s only current Black governor, has remained one of Biden’s staunchest advocates, as well as a coveted campaign surrogate.
—Jeff Barker, Baltimore Sun, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for governor
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 15 Jul. 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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