governor

noun10

1. •
   a person chosen to lead one of the states or other large areas that make up a country

   • Younger voters are more libertarian in political philosophy than older voters and are credited with the success of libertarian governor Jesse Ventura of Minnesota. — 1999
2. •
   The title for someone who holds the post of governor.

   • The Auschwitz Memorial Museum slammed Kyle Langford, Republican candidate for Governor of California, after his antisemitic remarks, calling out his actions as a “profound moral failure.” — 2025
3. •
   A member of a decision-making body (such as a committee) for a larger organization or entity (including some public agencies), similar to or equivalent to a board of directors (used especially for banks); a member of the board of governors.

   • The seven members of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. — 2009
4. •
   A device which regulates or controls some action of a machine through automatic feedback.

   • A governor on the injection pump limits the speed when running idle. — 1958
5. •
   (UK, informal) A superior, especially a boss, an employer, or (law enforcement) a superior police officer.

   • DCI Tom Barnaby: ... so far, your detective sergeant is absolutely believable. Nico Bentley: Terrific. Why? Barnaby: You've observed Rule Number 1: Always keep the governor waiting. — 2000
6. •
   (informal, old-fashioned) Term of address to a man.

   • "Oh, right you are, governor, if you say so," accepted Fank […] — 1934
7. •
   (old-fashioned) One who has the care or guardianship of a young man; a tutor; a guardian.
8. •
   A pilot; a steersman.
9. •
   A constituent of a phrase that governs another.
10. •
    (informal, no longer used) Synonym of father.

    • "Say 'father.' We never called him papa; and if one of my brothers had addressed him as 'governor,' as boys do now, I really think he'd have him cut off with a shilling." — 1869