lieutenant governor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Formal (Political, Administrative, News Media)
Quick answer
What does “lieutenant governor” mean?
A deputy or subordinate governor.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A deputy or subordinate governor; an official who is second-in-command to the governor of a state, province, or territory.
In U.S. states and Canadian provinces, the elected official who stands ready to succeed the governor and often presides over the state/provincial senate. In U.K. dependencies, a deputy to the Governor representing the Crown.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, used for officials in Crown dependencies (e.g., Isle of Man) and historically in colonies. In the US/Canada, it is a standard elected state/provincial office. The British usage is less common in everyday discourse than the American.
Connotations
US/Canada: High-profile elected politician, potential successor. UK: Senior colonial administrator, less politically prominent in domestic context.
Frequency
Much more frequent in American English due to the 45 U.S. states with the office. Rare in everyday British English.
Grammar
How to Use “lieutenant governor” in a Sentence
Lieutenant Governor of [State/Province Name]the Lieutenant Governor, [Name]elected/appointed/served as Lieutenant GovernorVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lieutenant governor” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [The role does not verb.]
American English
- [The role does not verb.]
adverb
British English
- [Not used as an adverb.]
American English
- [Not used as an adverb.]
adjective
British English
- The lieutenant-governor's powers are defined by statute.
American English
- She launched a lieutenant governor campaign.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in discussions of state-level regulations or lobbying.
Academic
Used in political science, history, and public administration texts.
Everyday
Mainly in news reports about state/provincial politics.
Technical
A specific constitutional or statutory office in law and governance.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “lieutenant governor”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “lieutenant governor”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lieutenant governor”
- Spelling: 'Leuitenant Governor'.
- Using 'Vice-Governor' in American English contexts.
- Pronouncing 'lieutenant' as /laɪˈtɛnənt/ in the phrase.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In the U.S. and Canada, yes, the lieutenant governor is first in the line of succession if the governor dies, resigns, or is removed. The specifics are outlined in state/provincial constitutions.
In most U.S. states, they are elected on a ticket with the governor. In some states, they are elected separately. In UK territories, they are appointed by the Crown.
A vice president operates at the federal/national level, while a lieutenant governor operates at the state/provincial level. Their roles are analogous within their respective spheres of government.
The etymology is debated, but the British /lɛfˈtɛnənt/ may stem from Old French 'lieu' (place) and 'tenant' (holding) with an intrusive 'f' or 'v' sound from older spellings or a misinterpretation of the 'u'.
A deputy or subordinate governor.
Lieutenant governor is usually formal (political, administrative, news media) in register.
Lieutenant governor: in British English it is pronounced /lɛfˈtɛnənt ˈɡʌv(ə)nə/, and in American English it is pronounced /luːˈtɛnənt ˈɡʌv(ə)rnər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None specific to the phrase]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: The LIEU (place) is held by the Governor; the LIEU-tenant holds the Governor's place when they are absent.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE SECOND IS THE DEPUTY (A chain of command where the number two is the understudy).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a lieutenant governor in most U.S. states?