executive
Americannoun
-
executives
plural
-
a person or group of persons having administrative or supervisory authority in an organization.
-
the person or persons in whom the supreme executive power of a government is vested.
-
the executive branch of a government.
adjective
-
of, relating to, or suited for carrying out plans, duties, etc..
executive ability.
-
pertaining to or charged with the execution of laws and policies or the administration of public affairs: executive committees.
executive appointments;
executive committees.
-
designed for, used by, or suitable for executives.
an executive suite.
noun
-
-
a person or group responsible for the administration of a project, activity, or business
-
( as modifier )
executive duties
an executive position
-
-
-
the branch of government responsible for carrying out laws, decrees, etc; administration
-
any administration Compare judiciary legislature
-
adjective
-
having the function or purpose of carrying plans, orders, laws, etc, into practical effect
-
of, relating to, or designed for an executive
the executive suite
-
informal of the most expensive or exclusive type
executive housing
executive class
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
executivenessnoun
-
nonexecutiveadjective
-
proexecutiveadjective
-
semiexecutiveadjective
-
executivelyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of executive
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin execūtīvus; equivalent to execute + -ive
Explanation
An executive is a powerful person who is responsible for making things run smoothly. If you become an executive, you might be in charge of an organization, a business, or even an entire country. The executive of a company has the best office and works on ways to make their business more successful. The Medieval Latin root of executive is exsequi, which means “carry out,” and so an executive carries out plans and actions. Executive is also an adjective that describes having the power to make decisions. The president of the United States is the executive branch of the government and is responsible for executing laws that will improve the country for its citizens.
Vocabulary lists containing executive
Like A Boss: Words for the Person in Charge
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
U.S. Government Lingo
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Emancipation Proclamation (1862)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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:
It is a "historic achievement" for Brazil, said Marcio Astrini, executive secretary at climate advocacy group Observatorio do Clima.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
“Wealth in the U.S. today is widespread and diverse,” said Diane Mahady, Hermès’ chief executive for the Americas.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026
Sam Altman, chief executive of OpenAI, posted a series of screenshots on X in 2025 that showed him asking Tesla for a refund of his Roadster reservation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026
Nursery executive principal Zhi Jinglin was sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined 300,00 yuan.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
The first few times she called, Amy discussed gallery business but, little by little, began complaining about her husband, a Westinghouse executive named Van.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
Hermès executives theorized that North Shore shoppers might like having a store closer to them, the kind of place they could stop by while walking the dog or in between errands.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026
The two companies representing Prince's interests in the DRC, Vectus Global and Quantum Global Consulting, maintain a presence in the national capital Kinshasa, but their executives keep a low profile.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
Yet executive recruiters say the one-page summary released this week isn’t fundamentally different from the ways companies size up executives for CEO jobs or other top positions in American corporations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
Mexican officials and many corporate executives expressed optimism that a deal was close, they said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
Besides all the people working on tour, there were record company executives, friends of record company executives, children of lawyers, brothers-in-law of security personnel.
From "Small Steps" by Louis Sachar
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
