governor

1. (politics) The chief executive officer of a first-level administrative division of a country.Examples: "Younger voters are more libertarian in political philosophy than older voters and are credited with the success of libertarian governor Jesse Ventura of Minnesota."; "Top aides and people close to Kamala Harris have divided over whether she should head home to run for California governor in 2026 — and it all comes down to whether they believe she could win the Democratic nomination for president in an expected competitive primary in 2028."; "But gender is a factor both candidates will navigate in a country that has elected just 51 female state governors in its history."Synonyms: viceroy, proconsul, bailiff, seneschal, intendant, tao tai, circuit intendant, intendant

2. (informal) Father.Examples: ""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.""informal

3. (informal) Boss; employer; gaffer.informal

4. (UK, informal, dated) Term of address to a man; guv'nor.UKdatedinformal

5. (grammar) A constituent of a phrase that governs another.

6. (dated) One who has the care or guardianship of a young man; a tutor; a guardian.dated