second lieutenant

noun

, U.S. Military.

1. an Army, Air Force, or Marine officer of the lowest commissioned rank. Compare ensign ( def 4 ).

second lieutenant

noun

1. an officer holding the lowest commissioned rank in the armed forces of certain nations

Word History and Origins

Origin of second lieutenant¹

First recorded in 1695–1705

Example Sentences

He was quickly promoted to junior officer and then second lieutenant, at a time when the US army was desperate for soldiers.

From BBC

After graduating, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, earned a commission as a second lieutenant and served in various locations in the United States and Japan.

From New York Times

The Duke served with the armed forces for more than 21 years, starting his career as a second lieutenant with the Royal Scots Greys and retiring in 1976 as a lieutenant-colonel.

From BBC

He graduated in 1954 and joined the army as a second lieutenant in the medical corps, spending two years stationed at Fort Meade in Maryland and at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

From New York Times

Ms. Oliver was the second lieutenant governor in New Jersey after the post was created in 2010.

From Washington Times