executive branch
noun
plural executive branches
: the branch of government that is charged with such powers as diplomatic representation, overseeing the execution of the laws, and appointment of officials and that usually has some power over legislation (as through veto) : executive compare judicial branch, legislative branch
Examples of executive branch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Employees on Capitol Hill do not have a traditional human resources department, lawmakers exercise near-total control over their offices, and congressional employees are not covered by the same whistleblower protections that shield many executive branch workers.
—
Nik Popli, Time, 11 May 2026
In deep-red Idaho, where Republicans dominate the state’s Legislature and executive branch, disagreement over how aggressively the state should enforce immigration policy has become a litmus test for some of whether Republican politicians are sufficiently conservative.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 11 May 2026
The administration has appealed those rulings, arguing the president possesses broad constitutional authority over security clearances and executive branch access.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 7 May 2026
Congress needs to assert its constitutional authority before our country descends even further into chaos and restore the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches.
—Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
The state’s Republican Party establishment, in desperate need of a rallying cry, enlisted the crusade of one member of the state’s all-Democrat executive branch to convey that message.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 4 May 2026
The back-to-back resignations and investigations, spanning both parties and both the legislative and executive branches, have reignited a debate about whether Washington’s rules and institutions for self-oversight can keep pace with the misconduct unfolding within it.
—Ana Ceballos
follow, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Ethics regulations that govern executive branch employees prevent them from participating in gambling activities while on duty for the government or on government property, according to a White House official.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
Federal law prohibits executive branch employees, including the president, from discussing certain economic data before and within the first hour after its release.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 20 Feb. 2026
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Nik Popli, Time, 11 May 2026
In deep-red Idaho, where Republicans dominate the state’s Legislature and executive branch, disagreement over how aggressively the state should enforce immigration policy has become a litmus test for some of whether Republican politicians are sufficiently conservative.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 11 May 2026
The administration has appealed those rulings, arguing the president possesses broad constitutional authority over security clearances and executive branch access.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 7 May 2026
Congress needs to assert its constitutional authority before our country descends even further into chaos and restore the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches.
—Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
The state’s Republican Party establishment, in desperate need of a rallying cry, enlisted the crusade of one member of the state’s all-Democrat executive branch to convey that message.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 4 May 2026
The back-to-back resignations and investigations, spanning both parties and both the legislative and executive branches, have reignited a debate about whether Washington’s rules and institutions for self-oversight can keep pace with the misconduct unfolding within it.
—Ana Ceballos
follow, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Ethics regulations that govern executive branch employees prevent them from participating in gambling activities while on duty for the government or on government property, according to a White House official.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
Federal law prohibits executive branch employees, including the president, from discussing certain economic data before and within the first hour after its release.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Executive branch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/executive%20branch. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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