executive

adjective ex·ec·u·tive \ ig-ˈze-k(y)ə-tiv , -kyü- \

|Updated on: 19 Aug 2018

Definition of executive

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

See executive defined for English-language learners

See executive defined for kids

Examples of executive in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of executive from the Web

With not any more women on Uber’s executive leadership team than there were a year ago, how can employees expect diversity and inclusion to change?

— mike isaac, BostonGlobe.com, "At Uber, new questions arise about executive behavior," 14 July 2018
The iCan Bike camp is part of the county executive’s initiative to increase recreational opportunities for citizens with disabilities.

— The Aegis, "Harford concludes another successful iCan Bike Camp," 13 July 2018
Deceptive practice An employee of a business in the 1300 block of Patriot Boulevard reported receiving a call July 6 from a person claiming to be an executive requesting payment for an audit.

— alexandra kukulka, chicagotribune.com, "Blotter: 16-year-old without valid license left accident scene in Glenview," 13 July 2018
With not any more women on Uber’s executive leadership team than there were a year ago, how can employees expect diversity and inclusion to change?

— New York Times, "At Uber, New Questions Arise About Executive Behavior," 13 July 2018
David George, Adam Sher, David Eilenberg and Jordana Hochman of ITV Entertainment round out its executive producer roster.

— lacey rose, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Queer Eye' Renewed for Season 3 at Netflix," 13 July 2018
Twenty six year-old twins Isha and Akash have already been inducted into the business, with both holding key executive roles in the telecom business.

— Fortune, "8 Things to Know About Mukesh Ambani, Asia's Newest Richest Man," 13 July 2018
Phong Nguyen, executive vice president of product management and a former Concur executive, said the idea is for Accolade to use mobile apps and telemedicine to reach more people.

— bob fernandez, Philly.com, "Accolade, with 500 employees in Plymouth Meeting, seeks to boldly cut health costs for big companies," 12 July 2018
The Mint Museum announced its new president and CEO Thursday morning: Todd Herman, currently executive director of Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock.

— lawrence toppman, charlotteobserver, "Mint Museum names new president and CEO," 12 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'executive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of executive

1649

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

executive Synonyms

Synonyms

administrative, directorial, managerial, supervisory;

Antonyms

nonmanagerial, nonsupervisory;

regulatory;

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

executive

noun

Definition of executive

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

See executive defined for English-language learners

Examples of executive in a Sentence

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 of executive from the Web

Other female executives have also left Uber in recent months.

— mike isaac, BostonGlobe.com, "At Uber, new questions arise about executive behavior," 14 July 2018
Orlando Magic executives, coaches and scouts know this as well as anyone, and so do the players on the summer league roster who appeared in NBA regular-season games last season.

— josh robbins, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Jonathan Isaac, Mo Bamba gave Magic hope at summer league," 14 July 2018
However exasperating those experiences can be, physicians tend to be optimistic and connected to their mission in a way other industries — and in some cases other health care executives — may struggle to be.

— alexi nazem, STAT, "Health care needs more physician CEOs like Atul Gawande," 13 July 2018
Other female executives have also left Uber in recent months.

— New York Times, "At Uber, New Questions Arise About Executive Behavior," 13 July 2018
Three executives have been running the firm during the search for a new boss.

— The Economist, "Despite falling foul of the #MeToo movement, Lululemon is soaring," 12 July 2018
Other former top Concur executives also joined Accolade as Singh tapped into Silicon Valley venture capital funds, with the idea of making Accolade a more digital experience with a mobile app and tele-medicine options.

— bob fernandez, Philly.com, "Accolade, with 500 employees in Plymouth Meeting, seeks to boldly cut health costs for big companies," 12 July 2018
And Capri Cafaro, the executive in residence at American University School of Public Affairs, and a Washington Examiner contributor.

— Fox News, "US ambassador to UK reacts to Trump's NATO comments," 12 July 2018
One rival executive speculated that Harper will get a high average annual value—near or at $40 million—but over a shorter period than many had expected, in part to protect against a long-term bet on the violence of his swing.

— tom verducci, SI.com, "Nine Innings: How Bryce Harper Is Trying to Revive His Season, What We Learned in the First Half and More," 9 July 2018

First Known Use of executive

1774

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

executive Synonyms

Synonyms

administrant, administrator, director, exec, manager, superintendent, supervisor;

Related Words

codirector, comanager, co-organizer;

middle manager;

boardman, officer, official;

commissioner, minister;

boss, chief, head, leader, president;

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

EXECUTIVE Defined for Kids

executive

adjective ex·ec·u·tive \ ig-ˈze-kyə-tiv \

Definition of executive for Students

1 : fitted for or relating to the managing or directing of things

Claudia showed the executive ability of a corporation president.
—E. L. Konigsburg, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

2 : relating to the carrying out of the law and the conduct of public affairs

the executive branch of government

executive

noun

Definition of executive for Students

1 : a person who manages or directs

a sales executive

2 : the executive branch of a government

Law Dictionary

executive

adjective ex·ec·u·tive

legal Definition of executive

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