lieutenant governor

American  

noun

1. a state officer next in rank to a governor, who takes the governor's place in case of the latter's absence, disability, or death.

2. British. a deputy governor.

3. the executive officer of a Canadian province appointed by the governor general.

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lieutenant governor British  

noun

1. a deputy governor

2. (in the US) an elected official who acts as deputy to a state governor and succeeds him if he dies

3.  lieutenant-governor.  (in Canada) the representative of the Crown in a province: appointed by the federal government acting for the Crown

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• lieutenant governorship
  noun

Etymology

Origin of lieutenant governor

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

The lieutenant governor also serves on boards that oversee state colleges and universities.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026

Guest: Geoff Duncan, former lieutenant governor of Georgia and a current Georgia gubernatorial candidate who switched parties from Republican to Democrat last year.

From Slate • May 4, 2026

Fairfax was once considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, after he was elected Virginia’s lieutenant governor in 2017, making him only the second African American elected to statewide office.

From Salon • Apr. 16, 2026

Future Sark was launched with a presentation at Island Hall, which was attended by the lieutenant governor of Guernsey and an estimated 100 islanders.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Earlier in his career, he had served as a judge on the New York State Court of Appeals and as the state’s lieutenant governor from 1851 to 1858.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling