lieutenant

[luh-ten-uhnt]

lieutenant Definition

• 1. a deputy or substitute, usually ranking next below a captain
• 2. a naval officer of a high rank
• 3. an officer in the armed forces ranking immediately below a captain and above a second lieutenant

Using lieutenant: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "lieutenant" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

• Example

  The lieutenant gave orders to his troops.

• Example

  She is a lieutenant in the navy.

• Example

  The police lieutenant was in charge of the investigation.

lieutenant Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for lieutenant

• deputy
• substitute
• assistant
• adjutant
• second-in-command

Antonyms for lieutenant

• superior
• commander
• chief

Idioms Using lieutenant

• lieutenant governor

  a deputy governor who serves as the second-in-command to the governor of a state or province

  Example

  The lieutenant governor presided over the state senate and performed other duties assigned by the governor.

• lieutenant colonel

  a commissioned officer in the armed forces ranking immediately below a colonel

  Example

  He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel after serving for twenty years in the army.

• lieutenant general

  a high-ranking military officer in the armed forces, ranking above a major general and below a general

  Example

  He was appointed as the lieutenant general of the army after serving for thirty years.

Phrases with lieutenant

• first lieutenant

  a commissioned officer in the armed forces ranking immediately below a captain

  Example

  He was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant after serving for five years.

• second lieutenant

  a commissioned officer in the armed forces ranking immediately below a first lieutenant

  Example

  After completing his training, he was appointed as a second lieutenant in the army.

• lieutenant commander

  a naval officer of a high rank, ranking above a lieutenant and below a commander

  Example

  He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander after serving for ten years in the navy.

Origins of lieutenant

from Middle French 'lieu' meaning 'place' + 'tenant' meaning 'holding'

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Summary: lieutenant in Brief

'Lieutenant' [luh-ten-uhnt] refers to a deputy or substitute, usually ranking next below a captain. It is used to denote an officer in the armed forces ranking immediately below a captain and above a second lieutenant, and a naval officer of a high rank. The term extends into phrases like 'first lieutenant' and idioms like 'lieutenant governor,' denoting a deputy governor who serves as the second-in-command to the governor of a state or province.