governor general

American  

Or governor-general

noun

plural

governors general, governor generals

1. a governor who is chief over subordinate or deputy governors.

2. governor.

---

governor general British  

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

---

Other Word Forms

• governor-generalship noun

Etymology

Origin of governor general

First recorded in 1580–90

Example Sentences

Cicero’s rhetoric would be echoed centuries later by Edmund Burke, who invoked Verres in his denunciation of Warren Hastings, the British governor general of India who was impeached for corruption in 1787.

From The Wall Street Journal

The King's decision to open parliament - a role traditionally left to the governor general, who is the monarch's top representative in Canada - is seen as a symbolic show of support for the commonwealth country.

From BBC

Tuesday's address would traditionally be given by the governor general, who is the monarch's top representative in Canada.

From BBC

The King and Queen later partook in a tree planting ceremony at Rideau Hall, the official residence of Canada's governor general.

From BBC

The British monarch is still formally the head of state, but their duties are often carried out by their Canadian representative, called the governor general.

From BBC