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

On 29 October, McDonald's chief executive Chris Kempczinski apologised for the outbreak, saying the firm was "sorry for what our customers experienced".

From BBC

Ben Collins, a former NBC News journalist who is chief executive of The Onion’s parent company, said on X: “We're planning on making a very stupid website.”

From BBC

Janey Rountree, the executive director of UCLA’s California Policy Lab and an advisor on the measure, has tried to address that problem by developing a data-driven strategy to identify people at risk of becoming homeless.

From Los Angeles Times

But it was the Sierra Club, influenced by its first executive director, David Brower, that emerged as a leading proponent of the notion that the earth had a carrying capacity — that there was an optimum number for the planet’s population to be held at.

From Salon

Carl Pope, the club’s longtime executive director, was present, as was Robert Cox, the club’s former president, who still served on the board.

From Salon

Related Words

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