chief executive

American  

[cheef ig-zek-yuh-tiv] / ˈtʃif ɪgˈzɛk jə tɪv /

noun

• chief executives
  plural

1. the president of the United States.

   the powers of the chief executive, as granted by the Constitution.

2. the governor of a U.S. state.

   the newly elected chief executive of Rhode Island.

3. the head of a government.

   a conference attended by all the European chief executives.

4. Also called chief executive officer.  the head of an organization, company, etc..

   the chief executive of a media corporation.

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chief executive British  

noun

1. the person with overall responsibility for the efficient running of a company, organization, etc

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• chief executives
  plural

Etymology

Origin of chief executive

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

chief executive

“The health impacts from the Lineage fire are serious and severe,” said Jim Mangia, chief executive of St. John’s Community Health, in an interview.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

The Swans were praised for their swift action in suspending the players, although initial comments from chief executive Matthew Pavlich also drew criticism.

From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026

Patrick Sullivan, chief executive of Oceanit, an industrial research and engineering company, has overseen plenty of marine-technology projects.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

His great grandson, Alex Taylor, who currently serves as chairman and chief executive of the parent Cox Enterprises, will become chairman of the Charter board.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

Perot had routinely rubbed shoulders with the most powerful men in the world—presidents, senators, heads of state, chief executive officers of Fortune 500 companies.

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