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

It’s widely viewed as an effort to boost Krishnamoorthi’s chances by shifting support among Black voters from the lieutenant governor to the congresswoman, both of whom are Black. —Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026

The ruling didn't end the broader legal fight but temporarily froze a major fundraising pipeline for Jones — a development Jackson's team has framed as proof the lieutenant governor built his campaign on an unfair advantage. —Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026

Vikki Goodwin, also a state representative who’s headed to a runoff for lieutenant governor. —Gromer Jeffers Jr, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026

South Carolina’s lieutenant governor is calling for accountability at the controversial Silfab Solar plant near Fort Mill as two chemical spills this week renewed concerns about hazardous materials at the site. —Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 5 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