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

---

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

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

Add in that at Audi there was another senior figure, in chief executive officer Adam Baker, and many felt the leadership of Audi looked unwieldy.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Born in Fort Worth, he had moved to Midland after college and ultimately became the chairman and chief executive officer of the MGF Oil Corporation.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

Related Words

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