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
At least eight people have already lost their lives due to the severe storm systems, including a young boy in Frankfort, Ky., who was swept away by floodwaters while walking to his school bus, according to the state's governor, Andy Beshear.
—
Alana Wise, NPR, 5 Apr. 2025
About 6 years ago, California governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order directing state agencies to identify surplus land for construction and development of housing.
—Roger Valdez, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
His office did not immediately respond to a question about whether the governor has the authority to make such carveout exceptions.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2025
The governor’s office did not respond to my requests.
—Megha Satyanarayana, Scientific American, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for governor
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.
Alana Wise, NPR, 5 Apr. 2025
About 6 years ago, California governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order directing state agencies to identify surplus land for construction and development of housing.
—Roger Valdez, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
His office did not immediately respond to a question about whether the governor has the authority to make such carveout exceptions.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2025
The governor’s office did not respond to my requests.
—Megha Satyanarayana, Scientific American, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for governor
Cite this Entry
“Governor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/governor. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share