The position, office, or term of a governor.
From 'governor' (from Old French 'gouvernor', from Latin 'gubernare' meaning 'to steer') plus the suffix '-ship' (denoting a position or status, as in 'leadership'). Used since the colonial period.
The '-ship' suffix is one of English's oldest ways to name positions of power—it appears in 'kingship', 'friendship', even 'censorship'—turning roles into abstract concepts you can discuss and compete for.
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