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

• lieutenant governorship
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of lieutenant governor

First recorded in 1585–95

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lieutenant governor

From 2022 through 2025, state-funded security accompanied Paxton on 19 foreign trips to countries including Greece, Italy, South Africa and Mexico, according to records, more than either the governor or lieutenant governor during that time.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

Caldwell, a United Methodist pastor, served as president of Centenary University before Sherrill chose him for the position of lieutenant governor.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

Interim charges are lists of issues that the lieutenant governor and speaker give to their respective chamber’s committees to study during the period between legislative sessions.

From Salon ● Jul. 31, 2026

Kansas established its current system following a scandal in 1956 involving self-dealing by the governor, lieutenant governor, and chief justice of the state Supreme Court.

From Slate ● Jul. 8, 2026

“William! The lieutenant governor just walked in. Let’s go speak before he sits down.”

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

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