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governorship

American  
[guhv-er-ner-ship, -uh-ner-] / ˈgʌv ər nərˌʃɪp, -ə nər- /

noun

  1. the duties, term in office, etc., of a governor.

governorship British  
/ ˈɡʌvənəˌʃɪp /

noun

  1. the office, jurisdiction, or term of a governor

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • subgovernorship noun

Etymology

Origin of governorship

First recorded in 1635–45; governor + -ship

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Predictably, that result has been seized upon as evidence of a collapsing governorship.

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026

Jerome Powell’s term as chair expires May 15, but his governorship extends until Jan. 31, 2028, allowing him to potentially remain on the board.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

Former New Jersey Rep. Mikie Sherrill won the state’s governorship this month in part by pledging to deal with high electricity costs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

The blaze broke out at 09:05 local time on Saturday in Dilovasi, Kocaeli Province's governorship said.

From BBC • Nov. 8, 2025

Byrd Machine politician J. Lindsay Almond assumed the governorship and the party line in January 1958.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.