executive

adjective

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 Learn More about executive

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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: Adjective

The award was hosted by the O’Neill Theatre and its executive director, Preston Whiteway, presented Logan with the bronze trophy, which features playwright Eugene O’Neill as a child. — Isiah Magsino, Vogue, "Lin-Manuel Miranda and More Honor John Logan at the 19th Annual Monte Cristo Awards," 24 Apr. 2019 Chad See, executive director of the Freezer Longline Coalition, a trade association of vessels that target Pacific cod using baited lines, said members caught their quota last year but had to travel farther north. — Dan Joling, The Seattle Times, "Pace of Bering Sea changes startles scientists," 16 Apr. 2019 Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson, co-executive director of the Highlander Research and Education Center, remembers. — Lucy Diavolo, Teen Vogue, "A Fire at the Highlander Center Won’t Stop this Legendary Civil Rights Movement Training Organization," 10 Apr. 2019 On International Women's Day, Meghan participated in a panel alongside CAMFED's executive director, Angeline Murimirwa. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Meghan Markle's Baby Shower Is Going Global, Thanks to a Charity-Minded Fan," 1 Apr. 2019 The program was created in a 2007 executive action by President George W. Bush. ... — Louise Radnofsky, WSJ, "Trump Extends Temporary Protection for Liberians in U.S.," 28 Mar. 2019 Still, Pence, whose aides say has a preternatural calm, shifted and became a salesman for the president’s position and worked to lay the groundwork for possible executive action. — Seung-min Kim, The Seattle Times, "Inside Trump’s defiance on the longest shutdown ever," 13 Jan. 2019 President Trump's sudden executive action over the border crisis stemmed some of the urgency for Congress to act on immigration. — Gregg Re, Fox News, "House GOP abruptly scraps planned vote on troubled immigration bill, saying it could pass next week," 2 Oct. 2018 Tobergte started his work as a vice president with Northern Kentucky Tri-ED in June 1990, beginning as senior vice president, rising to executive vice president in 1999 and as president/CEO from November 2004 until present. — Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati.com, "Dan Tobertge resigns from Northern Kentucky Tri-ED," 13 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Network and studio executives hear 500 pitches a year. — Jesse Kornbluth, ELLE Decor, "Darren Star’s New York Loft is Not What You Would Expect from the Sex and the City Creator," 16 Apr. 2019 If Crazy Rich Asians failed, Hollywood executives would be able to point to it and claim that movies about Asian people do not sell. — Alex Abad-santos, Vox, "Crazy Rich Asians’ crazy rich success could mean more stories about less crazy rich Asian-American people.," 21 Dec. 2018 In Japan, where foreign executives are scarce and even the biggest corporate bigwigs tend to keep a low profile, Ghosn’s status is more ambiguous. — Elaine Ganley, The Seattle Times, "Renault board: Ghosn to remain CEO while detained in Japan," 19 Nov. 2018 But neither Zuckerberg nor Sandberg could or would say who hired the firm — and the company’s top two executives were unaware of the relationship until yesterday, Zuckerberg said. — Nick Statt, The Verge, "No one at Facebook seems to know who hired a DC opposition research firm," 15 Nov. 2018 Perhaps executives were too afraid of letting a 100-carat diamond bra loose on the runway? — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "Every Victoria’s Secret Angel Who Has Worn the Fantasy Bra," 5 Nov. 2018 On Friday morning, Eugenie, who is ninth in line to the throne, married tequila executive, Jack Brooksbank. — Fox News, "George and Amal Clooney join the list of A-list royal wedding no-shows," 12 Oct. 2018 Just like Season 2 saw Emerald Fennell take over showrunning duties from creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Season 3 will see Fear the Walking Dead writer Suzanne Heathcote leading the charge as writer and executive producer. — Julie Kosin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Killing Eve Is Officially Coming Back for Season 3," 8 Apr. 2019 The executives with a couple of steps could have opened the door. — Marlena Scott, Teen Vogue, "Many Women Who Died in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911 Were Young Immigrants," 25 Mar. 2019

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.

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Dictionary Entries near executive

Statistics for executive

Last Updated

13 May 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for executive

The first known use of executive was in 1649

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More Definitions for executive

executive

noun

English Language Learners Definition of executive

: a person who manages or directs other people in a company or organization

: the executive branch of a government

See the full definition for executive in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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, 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