executive branch

[ig-zek-yuh-tiv branch]

noun

1. the branch of government charged with the execution and enforcement of laws and policies and the administration of public affairs; the executive.

executive branch

1. The branch of federal and state government that is broadly responsible for implementing, supporting, and enforcing the laws made by the legislative branch and interpreted by the judicial branch. At the state level, the executive includes governors and their staffs. At the federal level, the executive includes the president, the vice president, staffs of appointed advisers (including the cabinet), and a variety of departments and agencies, such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Postal Service (see postmaster general). The executive branch also proposes a great deal of legislation to Congress and appoints federal judges, including justices of the Supreme Court. Although the executive branch guides the nation's domestic and foreign policies, the system of checks and balances works to limit its power.

Word History and Origins

Origin of executive branch¹

First recorded in 1710–20

Example Sentences

And under the Constitution, isn’t levying taxes the province of Congress, not the executive branch?

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“The global environment remains challenging, but a resilient labour market, improving purchasing power and favourable financing conditions are set to support moderate economic growth,” the executive branch of the EU said.

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"But only if it is before an independent and genuine court of law, not one that is clearly under the orders of the executive branch in Gabon," he told AFP.

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In many instances, Bush and others sought to justify his actions by invoking the unitary executive theory, a conservative thesis that calls for total presidential control over the entire executive branch.

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That is incredibly unprofessional behavior from any employee of the executive branch.

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Related Words

• bureau 
• department