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• director general
  director general

  noun

  the executive head of an organization or of a major subdivision, as a branch or agency, of government.
• director-general
  director-general

  noun

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

director general

American  

noun

directors general plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• directors general
  plural

Etymology

Origin of director general

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

“We will ensure 100% security of all kinds,” said Abhishek Singh, the director general of the National Testing Agency, which administers the exam.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 20, 2026

“There was continued growth in the domestic economy,” said Chris Sibley, assistant director general of the CSO.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

But NCA director general Graeme Biggar said "our assessment is clear: the online environment in its current form is not safe for children".

From BBC • May 21, 2026

He served as director general of the French Treasury between 2020 and 2024, overseeing economic policy and public debt.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

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

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler