Definition of vice president

The term "vice president" originally emerged in the context of corporations during the early 19th century. In British companies, the second-in-command was called the "managing director," but in the United States, given the different legal framework for corporations, a new title was needed. In 1812, the New York Legislature established the Bank of the State of New York, and its charter included a role titled "president pro tempore" (temporary president) for the person who would fill in when the president was temporarily absent. This position eventually came to be called "vice president," a term borrowed from the presidency of the US Senate, where the individual who presided over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President was also designated as vice president. By the mid-19th century, the term "vice president" began to be used more generally in American corporations, as it reinforced the idea of a supporting role to the president or chairperson, whether in governance or management. Today, while the specific responsibilities of the vice presidency vary depending on the organization, the title remains popular due to its traditional connotations of authority, leadership, and succession.