Definition of "governor-general" in English

noun

1. (UK) An official appointed by the reigning British monarch to govern a Commonwealth realm as the monarch's representative.

   • 2003, The Far East and Australasia 2003, Europa Publications, page 122, The legislative power of the Commonwealth of Australia is vested in a Federal Parliament, consisting of HM the Queen (represented by the Governor-General), a Senate, and a House of Representatives.

2. An official in a similar position in other countries.

   • Nikolai Bobrikov served as governor-general of the Grand Duchy of Finland from 1898 until his untimely death in 1904.
   • 2007, Taiwan under Japanese Rule, 1895—1945, Murray A. Rubinstein (editor), Taiwan: A New History, page 222, In the meantime the Taiwan governors-general were gradually brought under closer supervision of the home government in Tokyo.

3. A zongdu.