1. plural of governorate; administrative divisions or provinces of a country, typically headed by a governor.
Usage: commonly used in Middle Eastern and North African countries; formal/political term

Examples

• Egypt is divided into 27 governorates, each with its own local government.
• The governorates of Iraq have varying degrees of autonomy.
• Damascus is the capital of one of Syria's most important governorates.
• The new policy affects all governorates equally.
• Several governorates in the region have experienced significant economic growth.