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

Jones' campaign has claimed that Jackson is behind a series of attack ads that claim the lieutenant governor is using his office to enrich himself. —Dan Raby, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026

For the first time in history, Arizonans will choose a lieutenant governor this November. —Stacey Barchenger, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026

One of Davis’ greatest assets was his position as lieutenant governor; that currency — incumbency and government know-how — no longer trade at the same high value. —Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026

There’s been some political noise that because Blakeman didn’t list his lieutenant governor running mate, Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood, who joined the ticket last month, that there’s a problem. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 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