How to pronounce governor
American English pronunciation
GUV-er-ner
- IPA
- /ˈɡʌvɚnɚ/
- Syllables
- GUV · er · ner (3 syllables, stress on the 1st)
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What governor means
Most people know governor in its everyday sense. Here's its other meaning.
A device that keeps an engine from running too fast
In a sentence: As the steam engine sped up, its governor spun faster and let in less steam to keep the speed steady.
Where it comes from: It comes from Latin gubernator, a person who steers a ship, from a Greek word meaning to steer. The engine part steers the speed, keeping it steady.
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