governess

noun

gov·​ern·​ess ˈgə-vər-nəs How to pronounce governess (audio)
1
: a woman who governs
2
: a woman who cares for and supervises a child especially in a private household

Examples of governess in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web When the governess wasn’t looking, the students would sneak the chocolate inside the woman’s bag or leave it on the table so that the woman would have some eye contact with the guy who gave her the chocolate. Yolanda Evans, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Feb. 2024 Julie Andrews stars as Maria, a peppy young nun-in-training who leaves her abbey to become a governess for the seven children of widowed Captain Georg von Trapp, played by Christopher Plummer. Perri Ormont Blumberg, WSJ, 12 Jan. 2024 Tubi 08 Crown for Christmas (2015) Part Maid in Manhattan (2002), part A Christmas Prince, this one is about a former hotel cleaner (Danica McKellar) who becomes the governess to a young princess (Ellie Botterill) — who happens to have a hunky older brother (Rupert Penry-Jones). EW.com, 11 Dec. 2023 Although pathologically indecisive, Mr. Spitzer is tasked with finding a governess to raise Vera. Ryan Ruby, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2023 Julie Andrews stars as Maria, a kind-hearted governess who brings a love of music to the seven children under her tutelage. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 21 Jan. 2024 The story still follows the story of an orphan who overcame an abusive early life to become a teacher and governess, then becomes romantically involved with her employer. Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2024 Bertram was sent to school, but Beatrix was not; she was taught by governesses, took art lessons and made regular trips to the Natural History Museum in London to find specimens to draw. Jess Bidgood, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2024 Like James’s governess, Christine becomes an author of sorts through her attempts to understand a situation that isn’t, in the end, all that tractable. Joanna Biggs, Harper's Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'governess.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of governess was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near governess

Cite this Entry

“Governess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/governess. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

governess

noun
gov·​ern·​ess ˈgəv-ər-nəs How to pronounce governess (audio)
: a woman who teaches and trains a child in a private home
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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