governor
/ˈɡʌvənə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡʌvərnər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgə-vᵊn-ər also ˈgə-vər-nər/ (ame, mw)
governor — 名詞
- governorsingular
- governorsplural
1. the person elected to lead one of the states within the United States, or a pers
州長；總督
美國州級領袖或殖民地區首長
the person elected to lead one of the states within the United States, or a person appointed to run a territory that belongs to a foreign country.
The governor of California signed the new education bill into law yesterday.
加州州長昨天簽署了新的教育改革法案。
governor of + state name
Zayd ran for governor after serving eight years as a state senator.
Zayd 擔任了八年州參議員後，決定參選州長。
Each US state elects its own governor every four years.
美國各州每四年自行選舉州長。
The British governor of the colony announced new trade agreements with local leaders.
該殖民地的英國總督與當地領袖宣布了新的貿易協定。
As governor, she worked to improve public transport across the state.
擔任州長期間，她致力於改善全州的公共交通。
- leader
Much broader; any person who guides a group, not specific to a state or region.
- chief executive
More formal; used for the top officer of a state or large organization.
文法句型
the governor of + place
用法筆記
In the US, a governor is the highest state official, ranking below the president but above state-level positions. In historical or colonial contexts, a governor may be appointed rather than elected.
常見錯誤
2. the person with the highest authority in a large institution such as a prison, b
主管；總裁
監獄、銀行等機構最高負責人
the person with the highest authority in a large institution such as a prison, bank, or school — responsible for making sure it runs according to rules and standards.
The prison governor ordered a full investigation after the incident last night.
監獄長下令針對昨晚的事件展開全面調查。
prison governor
Adina was appointed governor of the National Bank last March.
Adina 去年三月被任命為國家銀行總裁。
governor of + financial institution
A meeting of college governors was called to discuss the new budget.
召開了一場學院董事會議，討論新的預算案。
The governor of the central bank raised interest rates to control inflation.
中央銀行總裁調升利率以抑制通貨膨脹。
文法句型
the governor of + institution
用法筆記
This sense is more common in British English. In the US, 'director' or 'warden' (for prisons) is often used instead. The institution is typically a public or semi-public body, not a small private business.
常見錯誤
3. a mechanical or electronic device that automatically keeps the speed, pressure,
調速器
自動控制引擎速度或壓力的裝置
a mechanical or electronic device that automatically keeps the speed, pressure, or temperature of an engine or machine within a set range — for example, a centrifugal governor that slows a steam engine when it runs too fast.
The engine's governor kicked in when the motor exceeded its maximum safe speed.
引擎轉速超過安全上限時，調速器便自動啟動了。
mechanical governor + kicks in / engages
Vinícius adjusted the governor on the generator to maintain a steady power output.
Vinícius 調整了發電機上的調速器，以維持穩定的輸出功率。
Old steam engines relied on a centrifugal governor to regulate their speed.
舊式蒸汽引擎靠離心調速器來調節轉速。
A faulty governor caused the turbine to spin out of control during the test run.
調速器故障導致渦輪機在測試運轉時失控。
- regulator
A broader term for any device that controls speed, pressure, or flow.
- controller
General term for a device that manages a system's operation.
用法筆記
This is a technical term used mainly in engineering, mechanics, and older machinery contexts. Learners at CEFR A2-B1 are unlikely to encounter it outside specialized reading.
常見錯誤
4. someone who sits on an official committee that supervises how a school, hospital
董事；委員
監督學校、醫院等機構運作的管理成員
someone who sits on an official committee that supervises how a school, hospital, or other public body is run — helping to set rules, approve spending, and choose senior staff.
The board of governors meets once a month to review school performance.
董事會每月開會一次，檢討學校的辦學表現。
board of governors (group noun)
Yuki has served as a hospital governor for five years.
Yuki 擔任醫院董事已有五年。
The museum's governors voted to approve funding for the new exhibition hall.
博物館的董事們投票通過了新展廳的經費案。
As a school governor, Élise helps decide how the education budget is spent.
Élise 擔任學校董事，協助決定教育經費的分配方式。
Any major change in policy must be approved by the college's board of governors.
任何重大政策變更都必須獲得學院董事會的核准。
- board member
Equivalent term in American English; less formal.
- trustee
Similar role but typically used for charitable or educational foundations with legal responsibility for assets.
- overseer
Less common; focuses on supervision rather than strategic decision-making.
用法筆記
This sense is most common in British English. A 'school governor' or 'college governor' is not the same as the headteacher or principal — they are volunteers or appointed members who oversee strategy rather than day-to-day operations. Distinguish from sense 2, where the governor is the single highest executive of an institution.