governorate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "governorate" is a correct and commonly used word in written English.
It is used to refer to a region or province that is governed by a leader. For example: The governorate of Rome is governed by a newly elected mayor.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In early August, for example, two SIIC governors in Qadhisiyah and Muthanna (the latter a British controlled governorate until July 2006) were killed by roadside bombs within ten days of each other, with the Mehdi Army widely blamed for their deaths.

The Economist

It declares the latest position of the Wafd party which includes demands such as the trial of fraudsters and the opening of governorate headquarters to protect citizens.Another well-respected independent daily, El Shorouk, opens with the headline: "The people advance as Mubarak starts his retreat" before reporting sources that say that Mr Mubarak's sons, Gamal and Alaa, have left for London.

The Economist

Voters in the capital, Cairo, by far the richest and most populous governorate, actually turned it down, as did Egyptians resident in the West.In this section The fire is getting closer A dubious yes A tortuous triangle Return of a prodigal son ReprintsNor does the trend favour the Islamists.

The Economist

The governorate of Fayoum is home to more than two million people, mostly farmers, a big majority of whom last year voted for Muhammed Morsi, the Muslim Brother and former president who was deposed in an army-led coup on July 3rd.

The Economist

They are likely to have done so in the almost entirely Sunni Arab governorate of Anbar and heavily Sunni Arab Salaheddin.

The Economist

Home to Bedouin tribes, it lies some 450km (280 miles) south of Muscat, Oman's capital, in the poor and empty Wustah governorate.

The Economist

Al-Iskandariyyah, muḥāfaẓah (governorate), Lower Egypt.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On Elephantine a museum contains antiquities from the governorate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Kafr al-Shaykh, also spelled Kafr el-Sheikh, town, capital of Kafr al-Shaykh muḥāfaẓah (governorate) of the central Nile River delta, Lower Egypt, bordering the Mediterranean.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sunni Muslims account for about three-fourths of Syria's Muslim population and are in the majority everywhere in the country except in the southern Al-Suwaydāʾ muḥāfaẓah (governorate) and the Latakia governorate in the north.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The ʿAlawites (a Shīʿite subsect) are the next largest group, and most live in the Latakia governorate or in the governorates of Homs and Ḥamāh.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about international regions, use "governorate" to specifically denote an administrative division in countries that officially use this term, such as in parts of the Middle East and Africa.

Common error

Avoid using "governorate" interchangeably with terms like "state" or "province" unless they are truly equivalent in the specific context. Always verify the official terminology for the region you're discussing.

Linguistic Context

The word "governorate" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a specific type of administrative division in certain countries. Ludwig's examples show it used in geographical and political contexts to identify regions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

50%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "governorate" correctly identifies an administrative division, primarily in Middle Eastern and North African countries. Ludwig indicates its usage is widespread across news, encyclopedias, and formal settings, marking it as grammatically sound and contextually appropriate. When writing, it's crucial to use "governorate" precisely to denote regions officially using this term, avoiding confusion with broader administrative terms. As confirmed by Ludwig, this ensures clarity and accuracy in geographical and political discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

province

Refers to a principal administrative division of a country or empire, sometimes interchangeable with "governorate".

administrative region

A broader term that describes an area organized for administrative purposes; less specific than "governorate".

district

A smaller administrative division within a region or province.

territory

An area of land under the jurisdiction of a ruler or state.

state

A self-governing political entity; in some countries, it's analogous to a "governorate".

region

A general term for a geographical area, not necessarily an administrative division.

county

An administrative division in countries like the United States or the United Kingdom.

prefecture

An administrative district used in some countries, such as Japan and France.

department

An administrative division, especially in France and some Latin American countries.

commune

The smallest administrative division in some countries, like France or Switzerland.

FAQs

How is a "governorate" different from a state?

A "governorate" is an administrative division in some countries, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, whereas a "state" is a self-governing political entity within a larger federation or a sovereign country. The terms aren't always interchangeable.

What is the equivalent of a "governorate" in the United States?

There isn't a direct equivalent, but a "county" or a "state" could be considered similar, depending on the specific administrative structure being compared.

In what countries are "governorates" typically found?

"Governorates" are commonly found in countries in the Middle East and North Africa, such as Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria.

What are some alternative terms for "governorate"?

Depending on the context, you could use "province", "region", or "administrative division" as alternatives for "governorate".