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

“This trade measure helps pulls us back from the brink,” Axel Eggert, director general of the European Steel Association, said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

But Paul Wyatt, director general for security policy at the UK defence ministry, said Europe and the United States needed each other.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

BBC News understands that the director general at the time of the investigation, Tony Hall, did not know about the allegations.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

As one of the corporation's high profile names, his abrupt departure is a fresh blow for the BBC - the last for the current director general Tim Davie, who leaves the corporation later this week.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

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

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler