governour

Noun

governor (plural governors)

1. The chief executive officer of a first-level administrative division of 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, Karen O'Connor, The essentials of American government: continuity and change, page 17

   Synonyms:

   viceroy, proconsul, bailiff, seneschal, intendant, tao tai, circuit intendant, daotai, provost, gubernator

2. 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 July, “German Railbuses for British Railways”, in Railway Magazine, page 501
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.Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, www.federalreserve.gov (November 6, 2009)
4. (UK, dated, informal) Term of address to a man.
   • "Oh, right you are, governor, if you say so," accepted Fank […]1934, Ernest Bramah, The Bravo of London
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 February 5, Douglas Watkinson et al., “Beyond the Grave”, in Midsomer Murders
6. (archaic, informal) 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, Louisa May Alcott, An Old-Fashioned Girl

   Synonyms:

   father

See all 10 meanings of governor