executive

adjective

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ex·ec·u·tive | \ ig-ˈze-k(y)ə-tiv

, -kyü- \

Definition of executive

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

2a : 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

executive

noun

Definition of executive (Entry 2 of 2)

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 & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing executive Learn More About executive

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 See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective In February, Hutchinson authorized 2% cost-of-living raises for employees at state agencies in the executive branch to help cope with inflation. — Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Online, 29 June 2022 The Texas Republican Party's new platform also counters President Joe Biden's recent efforts to expand LGBTQ rights through the executive branch. — Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 21 June 2022 And the executive branch could not consider the economic costs of climate change when evaluating whether to approve a new oil pipeline or similar project or environmental rule. — BostonGlobe.com, 19 June 2022 With Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black woman to hold the second-highest office in the executive branch, by his side, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law last year, on June 17, 2021. — Jamia Pugh, ABC News, 19 June 2022 And the executive branch could not consider the economic costs of climate change when evaluating whether to approve a new oil pipeline or similar project or environmental rule. — New York Times, 19 June 2022 Congress and the judiciary played out their respective roles and the executive branch continued to function despite unprecedented political pressures. — San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2022 The surgeon general has limited direct power but traditionally speaks as the medical voice of expertise of the executive branch. — Howard Blumestaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2022 Senate Democrats insisted that the president was using the tools available to him but pushed back against the idea that Congress had ceded its authority to the executive branch. — Grace Segers, The New Republic, 14 June 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun As a high revenue-generating executive-slash-working mother in Silicon Valley, splitting my life between home and work left me continually conflicted between my I.Q. (intellectual) and E.Q. (emotional) selves. — Hilary Decesare, Forbes, 30 June 2022 That breach, in which information about more than 150 million people was stolen, led to the departure of the company’s top executive and a settlement in which the company paid hundreds of millions of dollars. — Michael E. Kanell, ajc, 30 June 2022 The company’s executive chairman, Warren Lichtenstein, had proposed his own slate after the two became embroiled in a bitter internal battle. — Cara Lombardo, WSJ, 30 June 2022 Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ top basketball executive, last week called retaining the team’s free agents as the top priority, and several of their futures remain unresolved. — Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2022 The show initially announced series executive producer Mike Richards as the permanent host in 2021. — Kelly Wynne, PEOPLE.com, 29 June 2022 In the most recent Marquette University Law School Poll, Barnes held a narrow lead over Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry. — Bill Glauber, Journal Sentinel, 29 June 2022 Maverick executive producer Tommy Harper, location manager Mike Fantasia and aerial coordinator Kevin LaRosa. — Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 June 2022 The Big 12 announced Wednesday that former Roc Nation executive Brett Yormark will replace outgoing commissioner Bob Bowlsby on Aug. 1. — Keith Jenkins, The Enquirer, 29 June 2022 See More

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.

Learn More About executive

Dictionary Entries Near executive

executioner

executive

executive agreement

Statistics for executive

Last Updated

2 Jul 2022

Cite this Entry

“Executive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/executive. Accessed 3 Jul. 2022.

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More Definitions for executive

executive

adjective

ex·ec·u·tive | \ ig-ˈze-kyə-tiv

Kids Definition of executive

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : fitted for or relating to the managing or directing of things Claudia showed the executive ability of a corporation president.— E. L. Konigsburg, From The Mixed-up Files of 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

Kids Definition of executive (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a person who manages or directs a sales executive

2 : the executive branch of a government

executive

adjective

ex·ec·u·tive

Legal Definition of executive

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

2a : 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

noun

Legal Definition of executive (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : the executive branch of a government — compare judiciary, legislature

b : the person or persons making up that branch — see also governor, mayor, president

2 : a person who exercises administrative or managerial control