executive officer

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of executive officer¹

First recorded in 1780–90

Related Words

• administrator 
• chief 
• executive 
• head 
• leader 
• organizer 
• player 
• principal 
• producer 
• supervisor