1 lieutenant | Definition of lieutenant
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

lieutenant

noun
lieu·​ten·​ant | \ lĂŒ-ˈte-nənt How to pronounce lieutenant (audio) , British le(f)-\

Definition of lieutenant

1a : an official empowered to act for a higher official The king's lieutenant handled the problem.
b : an aide or representative of another in the performance of duty : assistant Her best lieutenant was working on the proposal.
2a(1) : first lieutenant
(2) : second lieutenant
b : a commissioned officer in the navy or coast guard ranking above a lieutenant junior grade and below a lieutenant commander
c : a fire or police department officer ranking below a captain
Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about lieutenant

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of lieutenant in a Sentence

He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. She has her best lieutenants working on a proposal. one of the mobster's most loyal lieutenants
See More

Recent Examples on the Web

 This will require action on Beacon Hill because there is a law requiring that the State Police colonel come from inside the agency and have held the rank above lieutenant before being put in charge. — Larry Edelman, BostonGlobe.com, "A tall order: rebuilding the staties’ reputation," 29 Aug. 2019 Levandowski is the ideal antihero for a corporate thriller: the favorite lieutenant of Alphabet boss Larry Page who committed the ultimate betrayal. — Alison Griswold, Quartz, "“Silicon Valley is not the Wild West”: Anthony Levandowski faces criminal charges for stealing trade secrets," 28 Aug. 2019 What if the enemy saw the lieutenant yelling to me? — SI.com, "A History of Football in 100 Objects," 28 Aug. 2019 The first cess in British India was an education cess on land revenue levied by James Thomason, the lieutenant-governor of the north-western provinces, now part of Uttar Pradesh. — Shoaib Daniyal, Quartz India, "Various cesses levied by the Modi government are squeezing Indian state budgets," 23 Aug. 2019 At that very moment, David was still working diligently as Charles’ lieutenant, fending off a family clash over the business. — Philip Elliott, Time, "David Koch's Millions Remade the Republican Party. He Didn't Like the Results," 23 Aug. 2019 For example, investigators want to talk to the lieutenants who were in charge that night to get details on rounds that were not made, the source said. — Mark Morales, CNN, "Correctional officers have been subpoenaed in the Jeffrey Epstein death investigation, a source says," 22 Aug. 2019 JuJu Chan is a joy to watch in action as Zan, Uncle Six's ambitious lieutenant. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Review: Fight scenes are the only bright spot in grim, joyless Wu Assassins," 19 Aug. 2019 The deputy then tried to handcuff the individual, when an off-duty lieutenant arrived in an unmarked vehicle. — Joe Mario Pedersen, orlandosentinel.com, "I-95 lanes were shut down for hours after high-speed chase of stolen police SUV," 15 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lieutenant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of lieutenant

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for lieutenant

Middle English, from Anglo-French lieu tenant, from liu + tenant holding, from tenir to hold, from Latin tenēre — more at thin

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for lieutenant

lieutenant

noun
How to pronounce lieutenant (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of lieutenant

: an officer in the army, navy, or air force with a fairly low rank
US : an officer in a fire or police department who has a rank below a captain
: an assistant to another, more powerful person : a person who represents and works for someone else

See the full definition for lieutenant in the English Language Learners Dictionary

lieutenant

noun
lieu·​ten·​ant | \ lĂŒ-ˈte-nənt How to pronounce lieutenant (audio) \

Kids Definition of lieutenant

1 : an official who acts for a higher official
2 : first lieutenant
3 : second lieutenant
4 : a commissioned officer in the navy or coast guard ranking above a lieutenant junior grade

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on lieutenant

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with lieutenant

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lieutenant

Spanish Central: Translation of lieutenant

Nglish: Translation of lieutenant for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of lieutenant for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lieutenant

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!