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

The lieutenant governor, who is acting as governor while Gov. Greg Abbott is on vacation, said around 20 children were unaccounted for on Friday. —July 4, CBS News, 4 July 2025

Both the governor and lieutenant governor complimented Burrows throughout the session, painting a sharp contrast with the conflict that reigned during Speaker Dade Phelan’s tenure. —Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

Democrats are counting on tonight’s primaries for lieutenant governor and attorney general to act as a barometer for voter enthusiasm ahead of November’s elections. —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 17 June 2025

The race pits Democrat Abigail Spanberger, who previously represented Virginia's 7th Congressional District on Capitol Hill, against Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, the current lieutenant governor. —Margaret Barthel, NPR, 17 June 2025

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