vice president

American  

[vahys prez-i-duhnt] / ˈvaɪs ˈprɛz ɪ dənt /

Or vice-president

noun

1. an officer next in rank to a president who serves as president in the president's absence.

2. an officer next in rank to a president who serves as a deputy to the president or oversees a special division or function.

3. U.S. Government. the officer of this rank who is elected at the same time as the president and who succeeds to the presidency upon the resignation, removal, death, or disability of the president.

   Lincoln's first vice president was Hannibal Hamlin.

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vice president British  

noun

1. Abbreviation: VP.   V. Pres.  an officer ranking immediately below a president and serving as his deputy. A vice president takes the president's place during his absence or incapacity, after his death, and in certain other circumstances

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Usage

Why is the term vice president in the news? On August 11, 2020, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden announced he selected California Senator Kamala Harris as his vice-presidential running mate for the 2020 presidential election.

Other Word Forms

• vice presidency
  noun
• vice presidential
  adjective
• vice-presidency
  noun
• vice-presidential
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of vice president

First recorded in 1565–75

Example Sentences

Vice president nominee Sen. JD Vance — a white man who was raised in Ohio and Kentucky — is married to Usha Chilukuri Vance, the child of Indian immigrants.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2024

Vice president and general manager Julien BriseBois announced the deal Tuesday.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 22, 2023

Vice president of UX Bobby Nath woke up to find himself locked out of his Google Nest, which was synced to his work account.

From Slate • Jan. 25, 2023

Vice president Dr Ian Higginson says hospitals are "full to bursting".

From BBC • Dec. 8, 2022

Vice president and head distiller Dave Smith later told me he likes batching this singular cocktail, whose beguiling component parts speak to the terroir and cultural melting pot of California's Bay Area.

From Salon • Dec. 4, 2022