1. a woman employed to teach and care for children in a private household
Usage: historical; primarily used in wealthy families

Examples

• The wealthy family hired a governess to educate their three daughters.
• Jane Eyre worked as a governess at Thornfield Hall.
• The governess taught the children French, piano, and proper etiquette.
• In Victorian times, many educated women worked as governesses.
• The governess lived with the family and supervised the children’s daily lessons.
• She found employment as a governess after finishing her education.