Lieutenant

Pronunciation

• Canada IPA: /lÉ›fˈtÉ›nÉ™nt/, /luːˈtÉ›nÉ™nt/
• India IPA: /lÉ›fˈtÉ›nÉ™nt/
• UK IPA: /lÉ›fˈtÉ›nÉ™nt/, /ləˈtÉ›nÉ™nt/
• US IPA: /luˈtÉ›nÉ™nt/

Alternative forms

• leftenant, leftenaunt, lieftenant, lieftenaunt, lieutenaunt all obsolete

Origin

From Middle French lieutenant, from lieu ("place") + tenant ("holding").

Full definition of lieutenant

Noun

1. (military) The lowest commissioned officer rank or ranks in many military forces.
1. (military, US) In the US Army, Air Force and Marines, second lieutenant is the rank below first lieutenant, which is below captain. Both ranks may be referred to as Lieutenant or as the complete forms of the ranks.
2. (military, US, navy) A naval officer whose rank is above that of ensign in the United States Navy and below that of a lieutenant commander. There are two ranks of lieutenant: lieutenant junior grade and lieutenant.
3. (military, US) A commissioned officer in the United States Coast Guard, Public Health Service, or National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration whose rank is above that of ensign and below lieutenant commander. There are two ranks of lieutenant: lieutenant junior grade and lieutenant.
4. (military, British) A naval officer in the Royal Navy who holds the rank above sub-lieutenant and below lieutenant commander.
5. (military, Canada, Australia, New Zealand) A naval officer who holds the rank above sub-lieutenant and below lieutenant commander.
2. A person who executes the plans and directives of another.

Synonyms

• (military) Lt. , LT. , LT , lieut. , Lieut. , lieut , Lieut abbreviation

Usage notes

When used as a title, it is always capitalized.

Example: Lieutenant Anne Ward.

The rank of lieutenant corresponds to pay grade O-3 in the US Navy, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, and National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration.

Derived terms

Adjective

1. A military grade that is junior to the grade the adjective modifies: lieutenant colonel, lieutenant general, lieutenant commander.