gubernatorial

adjective

gu·​ber·​na·​to·​ri·​al ˌgü-bər-nə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl How to pronounce gubernatorial (audio)
ˌgyü-, 
ˌgu̇-, 
-bə-
: of or relating to a governor
the gubernatorial election

Examples of gubernatorial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson will hit the debate stage in Georgia's gubernatorial race. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 The most prominent Republican race on the ballot Tuesday is the gubernatorial primary. — Jared Kofsky, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 Despite a major shift in the Puerto Rican vote in the 2024 gubernatorial elections, where the pro-independence candidate Juan Dalmau took over 30 percent of the vote (largely thanks to young people), the statehood party prevailed. — Vanessa Diaz, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026 Democrat Xavier Berraca and Republican Steve Hilton have both gotten behind a stronger approach to California’s film and TV incentives in their respective gubernatorial campaigns. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gubernatorial

Word History

Etymology

Latin gubernator governor, steersman, from gubernare to govern — more at govern

First Known Use

1734, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gubernatorial was in 1734

Rhymes for gubernatorial

See All Rhymes for gubernatorial

Browse Nearby Words

gubernator
gubernatorial
gubernatrix
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gubernatorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gubernatorial. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gubernatorial

adjective
gu·​ber·​na·​to·​ri·​al ˌgüb-ə(r)-nə-ˈtōr-ē-əl How to pronounce gubernatorial (audio)
ˌgyüb-, 
-ˈtȯr-
: of or relating to a governor
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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