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).