governor
GUHV-nuh
Governor (noun) means the elected or appointed head of a state, province, or similar region. Example: “The governor visited the flooded town to meet local families.”
noun
1
The elected or appointed head of a state, province, or similar region.
"The governor visited the flooded town to meet local families."
"Residents wrote to the governor asking for a new bridge."
"The governor signed the new education bill into law."
2
A device that automatically regulates the speed or operation of a machine.
"A governor on the steam engine keeps its speed steady."
"The lorry has a governor that stops it going above a set speed."
"The engine's governor prevents it from running faster than a safe limit."
3
A member of a board that oversees an institution such as a school or bank.
"As a school governor, he attends meetings about the budget each term."
"The hospital's governors voted to open a new children's ward."
"She was elected to the board of governors at her old university."
How to use governor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe person in charge of a state or region, or a mechanical device that keeps a machine's speed steady.
Common pairings
state governor
board of governors
a speed governor
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Word forms
- Plural
- governors
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The _____ visited the flooded town to meet local families.
Etymology
From Latin gubernator, "steersman" or "pilot", from the same Greek root as "govern".
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “governor” mean?
The word “governor” means the elected or appointed head of a state, province, or similar region. In plain terms, the person in charge of a state or region, or a mechanical device that keeps a machine's speed steady.
How do you pronounce “governor”?
“Governor” is pronounced GUHV-nuh (/ˈɡʌv(ə)nə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “governor” in a sentence?
Here is “governor” used in a sentence: “The governor signed the new education bill into law.”
What part of speech is “governor”?
“Governor” is a noun.
Where does the word “governor” come from?
The word “governor” comes from Latin. From Latin gubernator, "steersman" or "pilot", from the same Greek root as "govern".
Is “governor” a common word?
“Governor” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “governor” have?
“Governor” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the elected or appointed head of a state, province, or similar region.
What is the difference between a governor and a mayor?
A governor heads a larger region — a state or province — and leads its executive government. A mayor heads a single city or town. The governor sits at a higher tier of government, overseeing an area that usually contains many towns and cities, each with its own mayor.
Is a governor elected or appointed?
It depends on the country and system. In the United States, state governors are elected by voters. Elsewhere, governors — such as colonial governors or a governor-general — may be appointed by a head of state or central government. The definition covers both elected and appointed regional heads.
What does a governor do?
A governor leads the executive branch of a state or province. Typical duties include enacting and enforcing regional laws, setting policy and budgets, appointing officials, and representing the region. Exact powers vary by place, but the role is essentially to run the government of that territory.
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