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Synonyms

executive officer

American  

noun

  1. the officer second in command of a military or naval organization.

  2. an officer charged with executive duties, as in a corporation.


executive officer British  

noun

  1.  XO.  the second-in-command of any of certain military units

  2. a specialist seaman officer, responsible under the captain for the routine efficient running of the ship in the US, British (formerly), and certain other navies

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of executive officer

First recorded in 1780–90

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:

Mamdani also appointed Tony Shorris as the EDC’s president and chief executive officer.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 22, 2026

Helier Smith, the utility's chief executive officer, said a new treatment plant - if required - could cost up to £210m.

From BBC Jul. 21, 2026

At the same time, the board is currently replacing both the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, and, it’s making more AI investment.

From MarketWatch Jul. 21, 2026

But the firm's chief executive officer Christophe Fouquet said AI was still pushing his business forward.

From Barron's Jul. 15, 2026

“That’s right. It turned out to be your wife dressed in your flight suit. We recognized her by her mustache,” Major Reynolds, Bull’s executive officer, shot back.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

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