governor

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a member of a group that makes important decisions for an organization like a school or bank.

n. a member of a governing body or board of directors responsible for the oversight of an institution.

“The school governors met to discuss the budget for the next year.”

“As a governor of the central bank, he was responsible for voting on interest rate adjustments to curb rising inflation.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical

n. a part of a machine that automatically controls its speed.

n. a mechanical device used to regulate the speed or power of an engine or machine through automatic feedback.

“The engine has a governor to prevent it from running too fast.”

“The steam engine's centrifugal governor ensures that the machinery maintains a constant speed regardless of the varying load applied to it.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun British English · Informal

n. an informal word for your boss or your father.

n. an informal or colloquial term used to refer to one's employer, father, or a person in authority.

“I'll have to ask the governor if I can take Friday off.”

“He spent the afternoon working in the garage with his governor, fixing up an old motorbike they had bought at auction.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun British English · Informal · Dialect

n. a polite but informal way to address a man, often shortened to 'guv'.

n. a traditional, informal term of address for a man, typically used by someone of a lower social or professional status.

“Excuse me, governor, do you have the time?”

“The taxi driver tipped his cap and said, 'That will be ten pounds, governor,' as we reached the station.”