lieu ‧ ten ‧ ant /lefˈtenənt $ luːˈten-/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: French ; Origin: lieu 'place' + tenant 'holding' ]
1 .
a) a fairly low rank in the armed forces, or an officer of this rank
b) a fairly high rank in the US police force, or an officer of this rank
2 . lieutenant colonel/general/Governor etc an officer or official with the rank just below ↑ colonel , ↑ general 2 , ↑ governor etc
3 . someone who does work for, or in place of, someone in a higher position SYN deputy