first lieutenant

American  

noun

Military.

1. an officer ranking next above second lieutenant and next below a captain.

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first lieutenant British  

noun

1. the officer responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of a warship, esp the executive officer of a smaller ship in the Royal Navy

2. an officer holding commissioned rank in the US Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, or in certain other forces, senior to a second lieutenant and junior to a captain

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Etymology

Origin of first lieutenant

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

first lieutenant

Mr. Romo was a strong supporter of the war when he arrived in Vietnam as a first lieutenant in the U.S.

From New York Times ● May 15, 2024

They include a letter from Marie Dubosc to her husband, the ship's first lieutenant, Louis Chambrelan.

From BBC ● Nov. 7, 2023

Al-Kinani identified himself as a police officer with the rank of first lieutenant in the video aired on state media in 2021.

From Washington Times ● May 7, 2023

It wasn’t just about hiring a new coach, though after eight years as Nick Saban’s first lieutenant with the Crimson Tide, Georgia alumnus Kirby Smart was the perfect person for the job.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 3, 2022

As a first lieutenant and platoon leader, Jimmy Cross carried a compass, maps, code books, binoculars, and a .45-caliber pistol that weighed 2.9 pounds fully loaded.

From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien