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

Until a new lieutenant governor is named, state Senate President Nicholas Scutari will step in as acting governor if Sherrill is away or unable to perform her duties. — Mike Catalini, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026

In addition to serving as New Jersey’s lieutenant governor, Caldwell is a pastor at the Covenant United Methodist Church in Plainfield, New Jersey. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2026

Though lieutenant governor is largely a low-key role, Kounalakis was the first woman in California history to sign a bill into law while serving as acting governor in April 2022, while Newsom was out of the country. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Hochul is running for reelection in November with Adrienne Adams, the former speaker of the New York City Council, as her replacement lieutenant governor nominee. — Mike Catalini, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 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