director general

American  

noun

plural

directors general

1. the executive head of an organization or of a major subdivision, as a branch or agency, of government.

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director-general British  

noun

1. the head of a large organization such as the CBI or BBC

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Etymology

Origin of director general

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

The search is under way for a permanent director general, one of the most demanding jobs in the British media.

From BBC

Davie has been responsible for dealing with a series of scandals and crises since becoming the BBC's 17th director general in 2020.

From BBC

The new director general will come in at a crucial time for the BBC in other ways, too.

From BBC

But these claims have been undermined by MI5's actions and omissions in several recent cases, all during the leadership of MI5's current director general, Sir Ken McCallum.

From BBC

Over time, he became increasingly out of step with the BBC's corporate priorities, and in 1993 he made a much-publicised speech accusing the then director general, John Birt, of running the corporation by "fear".

From BBC