executive function

noun

psychology

: the group of complex mental processes and cognitive abilities (such as working memory, impulse inhibition, and reasoning) that control the skills (such as organizing tasks, remembering details, managing time, and solving problems) required for goal-directed behavior

The biggest impacts, she says, are in enhancing what's known as executive function—the ability to perform complex tasks that rely on planning or decision making.

—Janet Raloff

also : one of these complex mental processes

But a new study reports that soccer players actually have superior executive functions, the brain processes responsible for planning and abstract thinking.

—Sindya N. Bhanoo

executive functioning noun

Measures of attention, hyperactivity, and executive functioning (the ability to process feedback, interpret life's good and bad moments, and react in an appropriate way to events) were based on reports from parents and teachers …

—David Kirby

Examples of executive function in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Key Takeaways Running slowly for just 10 minutes can enhance your serotonin levels and executive function. — Amber Raiken, Verywell Health, 18 Sep. 2026

Overall, Carr says groups treated with itPBM showed fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and PTSD, and showed more efficient processing, faster response speed, improved sustained attention and enhanced executive function. — Mirin Fader, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Others included impairments in executive function (52%), language (41%) and attention (26%). — Varun Mehta, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026

Those changes can affect neural networks involved in memory, attention, processing speed, executive function and learning new information, Noble says. — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for executive function

• adjunction
• compunction
• conjunction
• disjunction
• dysfunction
• injunction
• malfunction
• eigenfunction
• multifunction
• heterojunction
• junction
• unction

Medical Definition

executive function

noun

: the group of complex mental processes and cognitive abilities (such as working memory, impulse inhibition, and reasoning) that control the skills (such as organizing tasks, remembering details, managing time, and solving problems) required for goal-directed behavior

Brain-imaging studies have mapped executive function to several regions, including the anterior cingulate gyrus, which also lights up during error detection and when children learn numeracy and literacy.

—Nora Schultz, New Scientist

also : one of these complex mental processes

… executive functions allow us to behave flexibly, rather than … always behaving in a stereotyped manner when particular events occur. This equips us with the ability to adapt to novel, or changing, situations.

—Sam J. Gilbert and Paul W. Burgess, Current Biology

compare executive control

executive functioning noun

… difficulties with the complex set of mental skills—including planning, flexibility, and decision making—that are known as "executive functioning."

—Mark Cohen, Discover