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

Shortly after My Lai, Calley was promoted to first lieutenant and went on to serve another 15 months in Vietnam.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 30, 2024

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

From BBC • Nov. 7, 2023

He saw no action, but mustered out as a first lieutenant with firm ideas about military solutions to international problems.

From New York Times • Jun. 16, 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

By June, William was a first lieutenant with the Army’s military intelligence unit.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield