lieutenant governor

noun

: a deputy or subordinate governor: such as

a

: an elected official serving as deputy to the governor of an American state

b

: the formal head of the government of a Canadian province appointed by the federal government as the representative of the crown

lieutenant governorship noun

Examples of lieutenant governor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Former assemblywoman Autumn Burke was also apparently considering a run for lieutenant governor this year. —Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 11 Jan. 2026

Each year, the governor, lieutenant governor, state auditor and higher education chairs of the Texas House and Senate will receive a report on the complaints and findings. —Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026

The seat was previously held by John Kennedy who resigned the position in a bid for the lieutenant governor's race. —Irene Wright, USA Today, 9 Jan. 2026

Nor do any have the extensive Sacramento experience of Davis, who was a gubernatorial chief of staff under Jerry Brown before serving in the Legislature, then winning election as state controller and lieutenant governor. —Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

lieutenant governor

noun

1

: an elected official serving as deputy to the governor of an American state

2

: the formal head of the government of a Canadian province appointed to represent the crown