lieutenant colonel

American  

noun

U.S. Military.

1. a commissioned officer ranking next below a colonel and next above a major.

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lieutenant colonel British  

noun

1. an officer holding commissioned rank immediately junior to a colonel in certain armies, air forces, and marine corps

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Etymology

Origin of lieutenant colonel

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

Marín Chaparro, the lieutenant colonel arrested in the same wave, had also served his sentence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

David, whose name I’ve changed because he is still serving, is a lieutenant colonel and physician in the Army Reserve.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

"Defence-related technologies have replaced cybersecurity as the most in-demand high-tech sector," the reserve lieutenant colonel explained.

From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026

“There’s a chilling effect against pushing back or at least openly questioning any kind of orders,” Rachel E. VanLandingham, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, told me.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 2, 2025

Eventually she and Jerry both received promotions to lieutenant colonel and wore silver oak leaves on their shoulders.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston