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

Likewise, ending state support for the radio stations has jeopardized their eligibility for federal funding, said Mollie Kabler, Alaska Public Broadcasting executive director. — Los Angeles Times, "Alaska is reeling from budget cuts, even as governor wants to pay each resident $3,000," 19 July 2019 Meanwhile, Katy Trudeau, currently executive director of implementation for the mayor's infrastructure and services team, will become deputy director of planning. — John Gallagher, Detroit Free Press, "Maurice Cox, head of Detroit's planning efforts, resigning as of September," 19 July 2019 Cesar Espinosa, executive director of the advocacy group FIEL Houston, said immigration agents were pursuing the truck, which crashed into a red Camaro. — Lomi Kriel, Houston Chronicle, "Man hospitalized after car crash involving ICE as tense week for immigrants ends," 19 July 2019 Wurgler is executive director of the Children’s Center of Medina County and graduated from the LMC Class of 2015. — Sam Boyer, cleveland.com, "Brunswick Middle School construction has us looking high in the sky: Whit & Whimsey," 19 July 2019 Kelley Gandurski, executive director of Chicago’s Animal Care and Control, told CNN that the gator was likely taken to the Chicago lagoon and left there by someone who owned the reptile as a pet. — Helen Murphy, PEOPLE.com, "Officials Investigating Report of Alligator Sighting in Connecticut City," 18 July 2019 Melissa Unger, executive director of the Service Employees International Union 503, said earlier this week that a challenge is still being actively considered. — oregonlive.com, "Business group moves forward on pension reform ballot measures," 18 July 2019 Knothole Baseball executive director Jeff Wiles accepted the donation from CCF team members. — Dave Clark, Cincinnati.com, "Knothole Baseball accepts $20,000 grant from Character and Courage Foundation," 18 July 2019 According to Chris Moran, executive director of Lockheed-Martin Ventures, advances in 3-D printing represent a possible future threat to manufacturers of high-tech goods. — David Z. Morris, Fortune, "Dust Identity Raises $10 Million to Secure the Global Supply Chain—Using Diamonds," 17 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Anything over 5 indicates there is reason to believe an executive may have been pushed out. — Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, "Up to half of exiting CEOs don't quit. They get fired," 19 July 2019 The Miami Dolphins’ general manager has been brought up around the NFL since childhood because of his father Bobby Grier’s background as an NFL executive and scout. — Omar Kelly, sun-sentinel.com, "Is Dolphins GM Chris Grier the right person to get Miami on the right track? | Countdown to camp," 18 July 2019 Branson was previously an A.I. executive at Genentech. — Jonathan Vanian, Fortune, "Artificial Intelligence Is Center Stage at Brainstorm Tech: Eye on A.I.," 16 July 2019 The new committee is facilitated by Tom White, an executive at Centennial Bank, who is a non-voting member. — Ryan Gillespie, orlandosentinel.com, "Osceola forms advisory committee to pore through budget amid resident scrutiny of spending," 16 July 2019 Meanwhile, Huy Fong Foods is now receiving its chilies from other growers in California, New Mexico and Mexico, according to Donna Lam, an executive at the company. — Alexa Díaz, latimes.com, "Jalapeño farmer wins $23.3 million in heated dispute with Sriracha maker," 12 July 2019 As executive, Baker lobbied for the University of Maryland Medical System to build a regional hospital in Prince George’s — a project that’s been a priority for Miller, as well. — Pamela Wood, baltimoresun.com, "Senate President Miller picks former Prince George's executive Rushern Baker to join UMMS board," 8 July 2019 Many of us remember him as an executive at Old Phoenix National Bank. — Sam Boyer, cleveland.com, "Eagles send check to help Ohioans hit by severe weather: Whit & Whimsey," 28 June 2019 Last week, an Alphabet executive answered a shareholder’s question about how autonomous vehicles might affect tax revenue. — Shira Ovide, Houston Chronicle, "Apple’s silence hurts effort on driverless cars," 28 June 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

22 Jul 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