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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of executive officer

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

“Where we don’t have research, clinical trials, what we’ve got a ton of, is, shall we say, testimonials, patient affidavits, attesting to the wonders of the drug,” said Scott Brunner, the alliance’s chief executive officer.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

Iain Mansfield, chief executive officer at Principality Building Society, said "modest" house price growth in Wales was likely to continue.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Block is well-known as the founder and chief executive officer of Muddy Waters Capital, a hedge fund and investment research firm, with a string of successful bearish bets to his name.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

The group under its new chief executive officer, Diana Layfield, now intends to double down on its profitable U.K. business and pivot into Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 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

Related Words

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