governor general

or gover·nor-gener·al

noun

, plural governors general, governor generals.

1. a governor who is chief over subordinate or deputy governors.
2. governor ( def 3 ).

governor general

noun

1. the representative of the Crown in a dominion of the Commonwealth or a British colony; vicegerent
2. a governor with jurisdiction or precedence over other governors

Derived Forms

• ˌgovernor-ˈgeneralˌship, noun

Other Words From

• gover·nor-gener·al·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of governor general¹

First recorded in 1580–90

Example Sentences

Next, David Johnston, the former governor general, looked at the body of evidence that produced the leak.

From New York Times

In a proclamation, the British governor general of Virginia, John Murray, Earl of Dunmore, announced that slaves or indentured servants who left their owners to fight with the British would be freed.

From Literature

Mr. Trudeau also appointed David Johnston, a former governor general, to look into election fiddling by foreign governments.

From New York Times

The Order of Canada is awarded on behalf of the reigning monarch by Canada's governor general, the representative of the British monarchy in Canada.

From BBC

Nero’s “claim to be a great singer led him to perform in front of large audiences,” says Leonardo Visconti di Modrone, governor general of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, which owns the site.

From Scientific American