lieutenant
n. · adj.-
1 military/police rank (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea middle-level officer in the army, navy, air force, or police.
a commissioned officer rank in the armed forces or police, typically positioned below a captain or commander.
ExampleThe lieutenant ordered the soldiers to prepare for the morning exercise.
ExampleAfter three years of distinguished service as a second lieutenant, she was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant during the ceremony.
UsageIn the British Army, it is often pronounced 'lef-tenant', while in American English it is 'loo-tenant'.
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2 trusted assistant (n.) C1 Advanced Formala person who helps a leader and carries out their orders.
a trusted assistant or subordinate who manages or executes the plans of a more senior person.
ExampleThe CEO sent his top lieutenant to handle the negotiations in London.
ExampleThe mayor relied heavily on his political lieutenants to ensure the new policy was implemented across every city department.
Teacher's tipThis sense is often used in business or politics to describe a very loyal and powerful assistant.
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3 junior rank modifier (adj.) C1 Advanced Technical Scienceused in a title to show that an officer is just below a certain rank.
a modifier used in military titles to indicate a grade immediately junior to the rank it modifies.
ExampleThe lieutenant colonel is in charge of the entire battalion.
ExampleThe promotion from major to lieutenant colonel represents a significant shift in responsibility within the regimental structure.
From Middle English lieutenant, lieftenaunt, from Anglo-Norman lieutenant, lyutenaunt, leu tenant, leu tenaunt (“deputy, lieutenant”), from Old French lieu (“place”) + tenant (“holder”). Doublet of locum tenens.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated June 19, 2026