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.

---

director-general British  

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of director general

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Which makes his abrupt departure, facing claims over his conduct, yet another BBC crisis - the last for the current director general Tim Davie, who leaves the corporation later this week.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

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

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

During Davie's tenure as the BBC's 17th director general, he was responsible for dealing with a series of scandals and crises at the corporation.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

“Sustained increases in energy prices could increase risks for global trade, with potential spillovers for food security and cost pressures on consumers and businesses,” said Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the WTO’s director general.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

Perhaps Yi Young-hoon, the director general of the National Museum of Korea, said it best.

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler