ex·ec·u·tive
ig-ˈze-k(y)ə-tiv 
-kyü-
1
a
: of or relating to the execution of the laws and the conduct of public and national affairs
b
: belonging to the branch of government that is charged with such powers as diplomatic representation, superintendence of the execution of the laws, and appointment of officials and that usually has some power over legislation (as through veto) compare judicial, legislative
2
a
: designed for or relating to execution or carrying into effect
executive board
b
: having administrative or managerial responsibility
executive director
3
: of or relating to an executive
the executive offices
1
: the executive branch of a government
also
: the person or persons who constitute the executive magistracy of a state
2
: a directing or controlling office of an organization
3
: one that exercises administrative or managerial control
Synonyms
Examples of executive in a Sentence
Adjective
She has good executive skills.
He has an executive position in the company.
In the U.S., the President is the head of the executive branch of government.
Noun
The television network's executives decided not to air the controversial show.
The President is the chief executive of the U.S.
matters of policy controlled by the executive
Recent Examples on the Web
Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Apr. 2024
The venue’s executive director, Maggie Mackay, served as senior programmer for the Los Angeles Film Festival for the majority of its lifespan.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 2 Apr. 2024
That supply should help keep rents down for a while, but not forever, said Richard Green, executive director of the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Sally Greenberg, executive director of the National Consumers League, has been interested in table saw safety since first hearing about the SawStop technology on NPR in 2004.
—Chris Arnold, NPR, 2 Apr. 2024
However, Elyse Reneau, executive director of global beauty at Too Faced, believes Julia Fox is largely to thank for the trend.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 1 Apr. 2024
The Royals plan to have the stadium ready for Opening Day 2028, said Sarah Tourville, the team’s executive vice president.
—The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2024
Wolf and Wolf Entertainment’s Arthur W. Forney and Peter Jankowski are executive producers of all five series.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2024
James served as an executive producer and script advisor on the project.
—Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024
Jaden Thompson, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024
Brawner has used safety skiffs for work on bridges in the past, according to a deposition of a company executive that was part of a 2011 lawsuit.
—Jake Offenhartz and Claudia Lauer, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
Quixote Productions was founded by political strategist and public relations executive Rose and McCain’s longtime consultant, Fose.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Apr. 2024
In October, Fernandez was identified as the NBA’s best assistant coach in an annual survey of the league’s top executives.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024
Throughout the six months since Peltz announced his quest for a board seat, corporate executives and investment sages seemed to feel obligated to take sides.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
The data is based on a survey of 750 C-suite executives with M&A decision-making responsibilities.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024
Set for Monday, Oct. 14 to Friday, Oct. 18, Latin Music Week 2024 brings together top and emerging Latin music artists and executives from around the world for a week of showcases, networking, exclusive conversations, panels, workshops, activations and concerts.
—Billboard Staff, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2024
The group’s letter, also released last week, also calls on Apple CEO Tim Cook and other executives to acknowledge the many deaths in Gaza from Israel’s assault on the territory in response to the Hamas attacks of October 7.
—Caroline Haskins, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024
Adjective
Keith McNutt, executive director of the ECF, says the group has received requests for financial assistance from writers of all experience levels and cultural backgrounds since the strikes concluded.
—Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Apr. 2024
The venue’s executive director, Maggie Mackay, served as senior programmer for the Los Angeles Film Festival for the majority of its lifespan.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 2 Apr. 2024
That supply should help keep rents down for a while, but not forever, said Richard Green, executive director of the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Sally Greenberg, executive director of the National Consumers League, has been interested in table saw safety since first hearing about the SawStop technology on NPR in 2004.
—Chris Arnold, NPR, 2 Apr. 2024
However, Elyse Reneau, executive director of global beauty at Too Faced, believes Julia Fox is largely to thank for the trend.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 1 Apr. 2024
The Royals plan to have the stadium ready for Opening Day 2028, said Sarah Tourville, the team’s executive vice president.
—The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2024
Wolf and Wolf Entertainment’s Arthur W. Forney and Peter Jankowski are executive producers of all five series.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2024
James served as an executive producer and script advisor on the project.
—Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024
Noun
Showrunner David Zabel executive produces in addition to Scott M. Gimple, Reedus, McBride, Greg Nicotero, Angela Kang, Brian Bockrath, Daniel Percival, Jason Richman and Steve Squillante.
—Jaden Thompson, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024
Brawner has used safety skiffs for work on bridges in the past, according to a deposition of a company executive that was part of a 2011 lawsuit.
—Jake Offenhartz and Claudia Lauer, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
Quixote Productions was founded by political strategist and public relations executive Rose and McCain’s longtime consultant, Fose.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Apr. 2024
In October, Fernandez was identified as the NBA’s best assistant coach in an annual survey of the league’s top executives.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024
Throughout the six months since Peltz announced his quest for a board seat, corporate executives and investment sages seemed to feel obligated to take sides.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
The data is based on a survey of 750 C-suite executives with M&A decision-making responsibilities.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024
Set for Monday, Oct. 14 to Friday, Oct. 18, Latin Music Week 2024 brings together top and emerging Latin music artists and executives from around the world for a week of showcases, networking, exclusive conversations, panels, workshops, activations and concerts.
—Billboard Staff, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2024
The group’s letter, also released last week, also calls on Apple CEO Tim Cook and other executives to acknowledge the many deaths in Gaza from Israel’s assault on the territory in response to the Hamas attacks of October 7.
—Caroline Haskins, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'executive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing executive
Dictionary Entries Near executive
Cite this Entry
“Executive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/executive. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
executive
1 of 2 adjective
ex·ec·u·tive
ig-ˈzek-(y)ət-iv
1
: of or relating to the carrying out of laws and the conduct of public and national affairs
the executive branch of government
2
: fitted for or relating to the managing or directing of things
executive skills
an executive program for a computer
3
: of or relating to an executive
the executive offices
executive
2 of 2 noun1
: the executive branch of a government
2
: a person who manages or directs
Legal Definition
executive
1 of 2 adjective
ex·ec·u·tive
1
: of or relating to the execution or carrying out of laws
serving a warrant is an executive function
especially
: belonging to the branch of government that is charged with such powers as diplomatic representation, overseeing the execution of laws, and appointment of officials see also administrative compare judicial, legislative
2
a
: of or relating to execution
b
: having administrative or managerial responsibility
an executive director
3
: of, relating to, or issued by an executive
an executive pardon
executive
2 of 2 noun1
a
: the executive branch of a government compare judiciary, legislature
2
: a person who exercises administrative or managerial control
More from Merriam-Webster on executive
Nglish: Translation of executive for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of executive for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about executive
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