French word

gouverneur

Pronunciation

IPA/guvɛʁnœʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine noungovernor

Example

Le gouverneur a visité la région hier.

The governor visited the region yesterday.

Illustration for gouverneur (governor)

More examples

Après l'incendie, le gouverneur a promis de l'aide.

After the fire, the governor promised help.

Core concept

One person directs a territory's administration while serving as its official representative.

Common phrases

  • le gouverneur de l'État

    the governor of the state

  • démission du gouverneur

    the governor's resignation

  • rencontrer le gouverneur

    meet the governor

Similar words

maire: An elected official responsible for a town or city's government and resident services.
préfet: A government official who supervises regional administration and public safety for the state.

Definition in French

Titre ou fonction d'une personne qui dirige l'administration d'une région, d'une province ou d'un territoire.

Word origin

The French noun comes from Old French gouverneur and Latin gubernator, whose sense of steering or governing ultimately goes back to Greek kybernetes, 'helmsman'.

Usage tips

  • Gouverneur is not a general synonym for préfet or président de région, which designate different French administrative offices.

Other meanings

  • rulernoun

Related words

Word lists with this word