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Colonel vs Lieutenant - What's the difference?

colonel | lieutenant |

As nouns the difference between colonel and lieutenant

is that colonel is a commissioned officer in the army, air force, or marine corps. In U.S. military, it ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general while lieutenant is the lowest commissioned officer rank or ranks in many military forces.

As an adjective lieutenant is

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

colonel

English

Alternative forms

* (l) (obsolete) * (abbreviation) * (abbreviation)

Noun

(en noun)
  • A commissioned officer in the army, air force, or marine corps. In U.S. military, it ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general.
  • *
    • The colonel and his sponsor made a queer contrast: Greystone long and stringy, with a face that seemed as if a cold wind was eternally playing on it. […] But there was not a more lascivious reprobate and gourmand in all London than this same Greystone.

    Usage notes

    * When used as a title, it is always capitalized.

    Related terms

    * bird colonel

    lieutenant

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (all obsolete)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (military) The lowest commissioned officer rank or ranks in many military forces.
  • # (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.
  • # (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.
  • # (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.
  • # (military, British) A naval officer in the Royal Navy who holds the rank above sub-lieutenant and below lieutenant commander.
  • # (military, Canada, Australia, New Zealand) A naval officer who holds the rank above sub-lieutenant and below lieutenant commander.
  • A person who executes the plans and directives of another.

    • Synonyms

    * (military) , 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

    * first lieutenant * second lieutenant * third lieutenant * fourth lieutenant * fifth lieutenant * junior lieutenant * senior lieutenant * lieutenant commander * lieutenant captain * lieutenant colonel * lieutenant general * lieutenant admiral * lieutenant marshal * lieutenant senior grade * lieutenant junior grade * bevret lieutenant * captain lieutenant * desk lieutenant * flag lieutenant * shift lieutenant * staff lieutenant * sublieutenant

    See also

    * subaltern

    Adjective

    (-)
  • A military grade that is junior to the grade the adjective modifies: lieutenant colonel'', ''lieutenant general'', ''lieutenant commander .