executive
Americannoun
-
executives
plural
-
a person or group of persons having administrative or supervisory authority in an organization.
-
the person or persons in whom the supreme executive power of a government is vested.
-
the executive branch of a government.
adjective
-
of, relating to, or suited for carrying out plans, duties, etc..
executive ability.
-
pertaining to or charged with the execution of laws and policies or the administration of public affairs: executive committees.
executive appointments;
executive committees.
-
designed for, used by, or suitable for executives.
an executive suite.
noun
-
-
a person or group responsible for the administration of a project, activity, or business
-
( as modifier )
executive duties
an executive position
-
-
-
the branch of government responsible for carrying out laws, decrees, etc; administration
-
any administration Compare judiciary legislature
-
adjective
-
having the function or purpose of carrying plans, orders, laws, etc, into practical effect
-
of, relating to, or designed for an executive
the executive suite
-
informal of the most expensive or exclusive type
executive housing
executive class
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
executivenessnoun
-
nonexecutiveadjective
-
proexecutiveadjective
-
semiexecutiveadjective
-
executivelyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of executive
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin execūtīvus; equivalent to execute + -ive
Explanation
An executive is a powerful person who is responsible for making things run smoothly. If you become an executive, you might be in charge of an organization, a business, or even an entire country. The executive of a company has the best office and works on ways to make their business more successful. The Medieval Latin root of executive is exsequi, which means “carry out,” and so an executive carries out plans and actions. Executive is also an adjective that describes having the power to make decisions. The president of the United States is the executive branch of the government and is responsible for executing laws that will improve the country for its citizens.
Vocabulary lists containing executive
Like A Boss: Words for the Person in Charge
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
U.S. Government Lingo
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Emancipation Proclamation (1862)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Tanya Simon, the executive producer who oversaw the program’s recent success, was removed alongside correspondents Alfonsi and Vega, as well as senior editors and producers.
From Salon ● Aug. 8, 2026
“We know how deeply many of you care about this eagle, and we understand how difficult it is to receive an update like this,” Chris Eksteen, the center’s executive director, said in the post.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2026
“One of the reasons why you see restaurants hopping and skipping back and forth between platforms is that they’re slightly dissatisfied,” said Mike Anthony, executive chef at Gramercy Tavern in New York City.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
The summit will be hosted by SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell and chief football officer Craig Mulholland.
From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026
Mr. Underhill was a wealthy insurance executive who had first experimented with Spiritualism when he’d been widowed a few years back.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
Yet in a bizarre case of fixing something that does not need fixing, the program became the one CBS property executives chose to radically remake.
From Salon ● Aug. 8, 2026
By operating fast and with little consultation, Infantino kept even high-level executives in the dark.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 8, 2026
The global soccer chief gathered his senior staff in Morocco after being publicly criticized by the organization’s top executives.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
The 56-year-old has apologised for "errors" he made in those controversial proposals, but did not step down after receiving the backing of senior executives in a meeting in Morocco on Wednesday.
From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026
“Several chief executives from GSS arrived while you were logged in,” Og said.
From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
