vice-president

IPA/ˌvaɪs ˈprezɪdənt/
KK[vˈaɪsprˈɛzədənt]IPA/ˌvaɪs ˈprezɪdənt/

vice-president — noun

1. A country's second-ranking political leader, able to take over presidential duti

1.nounB2
Definition

A country's second-ranking political leader, able to take over presidential duties when needed.

Example

The vice-president spoke to reporters after the president left for surgery.

vice-president as acting national leader during absence

After the storm, Ava asked whether the vice-president would chair the emergency meeting.

Common collocations
  • vice-president of [country]
  • elect a vice-president
  • acting vice-president
  • vice-president's duties
  • former vice-president
Synonyms
  • deputy

    a broader term for a second-ranking official, not a specific constitutional title

  • second-in-command

    a general description of rank rather than the formal political office

  • running mate

    used during an election campaign, not for the office-holder after the vote

Antonyms
  • president

    the higher office that the vice-president serves under

Grammar Patterns

vice-president of [country]

Usage Note

Often used with of + country or as an official title in news reports. Unlike president, this role normally means the second-ranking national officer who may step in temporarily.

Common Mistakes

She became president after one year as vice-president.
She became the vice-president after one year as an adviser.
A vice-president is the second-ranking office, not the top one.
The company vice-president signed the national budget law.
The vice-president signed the national budget law while the president was abroad.
This political sense refers to a government office, not a business role.

2. A high-level officer in a company or other organization who directs one major ar

2.nounB2
Definition

A high-level officer in a company or other organization who directs one major area of its work.

Example

Linh became vice-president of sales after opening three new markets.

vice-president of + department

The bank's vice-president met small business owners about loan rules.

Common collocations
  • vice-president of sales
  • vice-president for finance
  • vice-president of research
  • vice-president of operations
  • bank vice-president
Synonyms
  • senior executive

    broad term for a top manager, without naming the exact title

  • director

    can be lower or broader depending on the organization, so it is not always the same rank

  • department head

    focuses on leading one area, but may not carry the same corporate status

Grammar Patterns

vice-president of [department]

vice-president for [function]

Usage Note

Most often followed by of or for plus a department name such as sales, finance, research, or operations. This role usually covers one branch of an organization rather than the whole institution.

Common Mistakes

The vice-president of sales answered every help-desk call today.
The vice-president of sales approved the new regional sales plan today.
This title belongs to a senior leader, not a routine support role.
The vice-president runs the whole company alone.
The vice-president runs one major division of the company.
This role is usually narrower than the president's job.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Vice-president is the formal title for the official directly below a president in certain political systems, especially in countries such as the United States. Deputy prime minister is the closer equivalent in parliamentary systems, but it belongs to a different constitutional structure. Running mate refers to the candidate who campaigns alongside a presidential candidate before the election, not the office after the vote. Second-in-command is the broadest phrase and can describe rank in politics, the military, or business without naming a legal office. For example: 'The vice-president met foreign ministers after the summit.' 'Her running mate focused on education during the campaign.'

vice-president ↗deputy prime ministerrunning matesecond-in-command

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • serve as vice-president
  • appoint a vice-president
  • former vice-president

Prepositions

  • vice-president of
  • vice-president for

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Vice-president is a modern English compound built from vice-, meaning 'in place of' or 'acting for someone', and president. The first part comes from Latin vice, while president comes from Latin praesidens, 'one who presides'. Together, the word developed in English to name a person who serves directly under a president and can act in that role when needed.

First known use

1540

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1