vice president

Or vice-pres·i·dent

[vahys prez-i-duhnt]

noun

1. an officer next in rank to a president who serves as president in the president's absence.

2. an officer next in rank to a president who serves as a deputy to the president or oversees a special division or function.

3. U.S. Government.,  the officer of this rank who is elected at the same time as the president and who succeeds to the presidency upon the resignation, removal, death, or disability of the president.

   Lincoln's first vice president was Hannibal Hamlin.

vice president

noun

1. Abbreviation: VP.  V. Pres. an officer ranking immediately below a president and serving as his deputy. A vice president takes the president's place during his absence or incapacity, after his death, and in certain other circumstances

Other Word Forms

• vice presidential adjective
• vice presidency noun
• vice-presidency noun
• vice-presidential adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vice president¹

First recorded in 1565–75

When To Use

Why is the term vice president in the news?

On August 11, 2020, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden announced he selected California Senator Kamala Harris as his vice-presidential running mate for the 2020 presidential election.