Slang dictionary
C-suite
or c-suite (see-sweet)
What does C-suite mean?
C-suite refers to the group of the highest-level executive positions within a corporation.
Where does C-suite come from?
In the corporate world, c-suite is used to refer to those within the most senior group—or suite, in the sense of “set”—of managers in a company.
The names of these positions generally begin with the letter C for chief, including the chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer (CFO), chief operating officer (COO), and chief information officer (CIO), among others. People in this suite are also referred to as c-level or c-level executives.
Use of the term has steadily risen since at least 2004, and it now may refer to a broader idea of those in positions of power and authority.
Examples of C-suite
Who uses C-suite?
C-suite was originally, and is still, used as business jargon for corporate senior management.
It has extended to informal shorthand for “making it to the top” of a business, and it is increasingly used outside the business world as slang for inclusion among the most important or elite people within a given community or enterprise.
C-suite can act as a collective noun for senior management (e.g., the c-suite) as well as a modifier for such a level of authority (e.g., c-suite responsibilities).
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of C-suite like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of C-suite that will help our users expand their word mastery.