executive

[ ig-zek-yuh-tiv ]

noun

1. a person or group of persons having administrative or supervisory authority in an organization.
2. the person or persons in whom the supreme executive power of a government is vested.
3. the executive branch of a government.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or suited for carrying out plans, duties, etc.:

   executive ability.

2. pertaining to or charged with the execution of laws and policies or the administration of public affairs: executive committees.

   executive appointments;

   executive committees.

3. designed for, used by, or suitable for executives:

   an executive suite.

executive

/ ɪɡˈzɛkjʊtɪv /

noun

1. 1. a person or group responsible for the administration of a project, activity, or business
   2. ( as modifier )

      executive duties

      an executive position

2. 1. the branch of government responsible for carrying out laws, decrees, etc; administration
   2. any administration Compare judiciary legislature

adjective

1. having the function or purpose of carrying plans, orders, laws, etc, into practical effect
2. of, relating to, or designed for an executive

   the executive suite

3. informal.
   of the most expensive or exclusive type

   executive housing

   executive class

Derived Forms

• exˈecutively, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·ecu·tive·ly adverb
• ex·ecu·tive·ness noun
• nonex·ecu·tive adjective noun
• proex·ecu·tive adjective
• semi·ex·ecu·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of executive¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin execūtīvus; equivalent to execute + -ive

Example Sentences

“Instead, they got a former World Wrestling Entertainment executive. This is embarrassing and a slap in the face to our nation’s talented educators.”

From Los Angeles Times

The new company will have the chairman of NBCUniversal's media group, Mark Lazarus, as its chief executive.

From BBC

Longtime Comcast executive Matt Strauss will get a big promotion to partner with Langley.

From Los Angeles Times

“Garcelle straddles the perfect intersection between being accessible and aspirational,” says Lifetime movie executive Karen Kaufman Wilson, who has appeared on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” when cameras document Beauvais’ Hollywood ventures.

From Los Angeles Times

Hunter Swisher, a 2016 Penn State alumnus, is the founder and chief executive officer of Phospholutions, a fertilizer formulated to increase phosphorus efficiency in the soil.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• administration
• administrator
• boss
• chief
• commander
• director
• entrepreneur
• government
• leader
• management
• manager
• officer
• official
• supervisor