ENGLISH
REFERENCE

governor

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈɡəvɝnɝ// UK //ɡˈʌvənɐ// gov·er·nor Archaic General-service Informal

n. the person in charge of a large area like a state or a province. They make important decisions about laws and how money is spent in that region.

n. the executive head of a state, province, or other subnational administrative region. In some contexts, it refers to a member of a governing board or a mechanical device for controlling speed.


SIMPLE

The governor signed the new law this morning.

CONTEXTUAL

Voters will head to the polls next Tuesday to elect a new governor for the province.

COMPLEX

The governor exercised her power of veto to block the controversial spending bill, citing concerns over the long-term impact on the state's fiscal health.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English governour, from Old French gouvreneur, from Latin gubernator, from Ancient Greek κυβερνήτης (kubernḗtēs, “steersman, pilot, guide”), from κυβερνάω (kubernáō, “to steer, to drive, to guide, to act as a pilot”), of disputed origin. By surface analysis, govern + -or. Doublet of gubernator.

Usage

Often capitalized when used as a title before a specific name.

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