executive

[ ig-zek-yuh-tiv ]

noun

1. a person or group of persons having administrative or supervisory authority in an organization.
2. the person or persons in whom the supreme executive power of a government is vested.
3. the executive branch of a government.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or suited for carrying out plans, duties, etc.:

   executive ability.

2. pertaining to or charged with the execution of laws and policies or the administration of public affairs: executive committees.

   executive appointments;

   executive committees.

3. designed for, used by, or suitable for executives:

   an executive suite.

executive

/ ɪɡˈzɛkjʊtɪv /

noun

1. 1. a person or group responsible for the administration of a project, activity, or business
   2. ( as modifier )

      executive duties

      an executive position

2. 1. the branch of government responsible for carrying out laws, decrees, etc; administration
   2. any administration Compare judiciary legislature

adjective

1. having the function or purpose of carrying plans, orders, laws, etc, into practical effect
2. of, relating to, or designed for an executive

   the executive suite

3. informal.
   of the most expensive or exclusive type

   executive housing

   executive class

Derived Forms

• exˈecutively, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·ecu·tive·ly adverb
• ex·ecu·tive·ness noun
• nonex·ecu·tive adjective noun
• proex·ecu·tive adjective
• semi·ex·ecu·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of executive¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin execūtīvus; equivalent to execute + -ive

Example Sentences

Agency executives said that they would be relying on NBCU to evaluate its own inventory’s contribution to an advertiser’s sales.

From Digiday

By the end of March, it had announced a new editorial series, Business Insider Spotlight, which featured reporters interviewing prominent executives about major developments in their respective industries.

From Digiday

Jake Hoffman, president and chief executive of the Phoenix-based digital marketing firm, confirmed the online workers were classified as contractors but declined to comment further on “private employment matters.”

From Washington Post

Beyond Quinn, it’s not clear whether any executive branch officials have participated in von Spakovsky’s remote briefings.

From ProPublica

We had all the free content, and then we had these very expensive, $15,000 executive conferences, and we had nothing in between.

From Digiday

“Having been a legislator and a mayor, I particularly enjoy being a chief executive,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

Reached for comment, one high-level industry executive refused to say a word.

From The Daily Beast

Colfer adapted the later into a 2012 film, which he also executive produced and starred in.

From The Daily Beast

All those bloodthirsty tweets and arcane exhortations and now we find out you were an advertising executive—an ad exec!

From The Daily Beast

After the show, Executive Chef Michael Franey explained the process by which the theater selects its menu.

From The Daily Beast

To Harrison and his wife there was no distinction between the executive and judicial branches of the law.

From Project Gutenberg

Polavieja, as everybody knew, was the chosen executive of the friars, whose only care was to secure their own position.

From Project Gutenberg

Its resolution will be put into practice with all fidelity by the executive power in its character of responsible government.

From Project Gutenberg

Up to that date the civil executive authority in the organized provinces was vested in the military governor.

From Project Gutenberg

But he was a man of marked executive ability, and when occasion demanded he wielded a facile and ready pen.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• administration
• administrator
• boss
• chief
• commander
• director
• entrepreneur
• government
• leader
• management
• manager
• officer
• official
• supervisor