n. 1 a person who governs; a ruler. 2 a an official governing a province, town, etc. b a representative of the Crown in a colony. 3 the executive head of each State of the US. 4 an officer commanding a fortress or garrison. 5 the head or a member of a governing body of an institution. 6 the official in charge of a prison. 7 a sl. one's employer. b sl. one's father. c colloq. (as a form of address) sir. 8 Mech. an automatic regulator controlling the speed of an engine etc. Governor-General the representative of the Crown in a Commonwealth country that regards the Queen as Head of State. governorate n. governorship n.
[ ME f. AF gouvernour, OF governo(u)r f. L gubernator -oris (as GOVERN) ]