executive branch

American  

[ig-zek-yuh-tiv branch] / ɪgˈzɛk yə tɪv ˌbræntʃ /

noun

1. the branch of government charged with the execution and enforcement of laws and policies and the administration of public affairs; the executive.

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executive branch Cultural  

1. The branch of federal and state government that is broadly responsible for implementing, supporting, and enforcing the laws made by the legislative branch and interpreted by the judicial branch. At the state level, the executive includes governors and their staffs. At the federal level, the executive includes the president, the vice president, staffs of appointed advisers (including the cabinet), and a variety of departments and agencies, such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Postal Service (see postmaster general). The executive branch also proposes a great deal of legislation to Congress and appoints federal judges, including justices of the Supreme Court. Although the executive branch guides the nation's domestic and foreign policies, the system of checks and balances works to limit its power.

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Etymology

Origin of executive branch

First recorded in 1710–20

Example Sentences

Immigration is broadly under the control of the executive branch.

From The Wall Street Journal

To me, this is sort of a brave new world, whether we’re going to see courts relax their deference toward the executive branch.

From Salon

To be fair, the president isn’t powerless over trade: Several times over the past century, Congress has passed laws delegating tariff-making authority to the executive branch on an emergency basis.

From Salon

Only when judges face known, significant dangers can the marshals provide them with the type of security details senior executive branch officials regularly receive.

From The Wall Street Journal

The president has broad powers to publicly release data produced by the executive branch.

From Barron's

Related Words

• bureau
• department