lieutenant

American  

[loo-ten-uhnt, lef-ten-uhnt] / luˈtɛn ənt, lɛfˈtɛn ənt /

noun

1. Military.

   1. first lieutenant.

   2. second lieutenant.

2. U.S. Navy. a commissioned officer ranking between lieutenant junior grade and lieutenant commander.

3. a person who holds an office, civil or military, in subordination to a superior they act for.

   If he can't attend, he will send his lieutenant.

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lieutenant British  

/ luːˈtɛnənt, lɛfˈtɛnənt /

noun

1. a military officer holding commissioned rank immediately junior to a captain

2. a naval officer holding commissioned rank immediately junior to a lieutenant commander

3. an officer in a police or fire department ranking immediately junior to a captain

4. a person who holds an office in subordination to or in place of a superior

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Other Word Forms

• lieutenancy noun
• underlieutenant noun

Etymology

Origin of lieutenant

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English from Middle French, noun use of adjective phrase lieu tenant “place-holding”; locum tenens, lieu, tenant

Example Sentences

Newsom climbed from San Francisco mayor to lieutenant governor to California’s governorship, where he quietly stewed as Harris leapfrogged past him into the vice presidency.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s harsh to discount the bravery of federales who took out Public Enemy No. 1, then quickly quelled retaliation External link by his lieutenants.

From Barron's

Long seen as one of her brother's most trusted lieutenants, Kim Yo Jong has now been elevated to a key position in the nation's ruling party.

From Barron's

Kim Yo Jong has long been among her brother's closest lieutenants, and one of the most influential women in the isolated regime.

From Barron's

The party has elected candidates to the state legislature, city councils and even a few statewide offices, including that of lieutenant governor.

From Salon