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
But there's a major election that will take place this year for governor of the state of Virginia.
—
ABC News, 16 Feb. 2025
That is, of course, an appropriate remark, particularly for a governor with national ambitions.
—Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
Ramaswamy set for Ohio governor bid COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Republican Vivek Ramaswamy is preparing to launch his 2026 bid for Ohio governor Feb. 24 in his native Cincinnati, with ensuing announcements over two days in the Columbus, Toledo and Cleveland areas, The Associated Press has learned.
—arkansasonline.com, 15 Feb. 2025
Today’s top stories (Kent Nishimura / Getty Images) An avid Trump backer from Riverside joins the 2026 governor’s race
Chad Bianco becomes the highest-profile Republican to join a race already crowded with Democrats.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for governor 
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ABC News, 16 Feb. 2025
That is, of course, an appropriate remark, particularly for a governor with national ambitions.
—Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
Ramaswamy set for Ohio governor bid COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Republican Vivek Ramaswamy is preparing to launch his 2026 bid for Ohio governor Feb. 24 in his native Cincinnati, with ensuing announcements over two days in the Columbus, Toledo and Cleveland areas, The Associated Press has learned.
—arkansasonline.com, 15 Feb. 2025
Today’s top stories (Kent Nishimura / Getty Images) An avid Trump backer from Riverside joins the 2026 governor’s race
Chad Bianco becomes the highest-profile Republican to join a race already crowded with Democrats.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for governor
Dictionary Entries Near governor
Cite this Entry
“Governor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/governor. Accessed 21 Feb. 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
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