vice president

American  

[vahys prez-i-duhnt] / ˈvaɪs ˈprɛz ɪ dənt /

Or vice-president

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.

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vice president British  

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

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Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of vice president

First recorded in 1565–75

Example Sentences

Before his promotion last year, Bignell had been vice president in charge of men’s performance footwear for about five years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

In a letter addressed to Kari Jeschke, Replimune’s senior vice president of regulatory affairs, the FDA echoed concerns from a previous communication with the biotechnology company, largely pertaining to the study design.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

“We’re looking forward to the negotiation. I think it’s going to be positive,” said the vice president, who is known for being skeptical of military interventionism.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

For instance, “pace of play” is one of the two most important factors in golfer satisfaction, along with course conditioning, says Matt Barksdale, vice president of golf at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Although still serving as vice president under Jefferson, Burr realized that the Republicans intended to drop him from the ticket when Jefferson ran for his second term.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis