n.
    - an official appointed to govern a town or region. 
▸the elected executive head of a US state.
 ▸the representative of the British Crown in a colony or in a Commonwealth state that regards the monarch as head of state.
 - the head of a public institution. 
▸a member of a governing body.
 - Brit. informal the person in authority.
 - a device automatically regulating the supply of fuel, steam, or water to a machine.
 
 
  Derivative
  
    - governorate n.
  - governorship n.
 
   
  Etymology
  ME: from OFr. governeour, from L. gubernator, from gubernare (see govern).