noun
executive
ihg-ZEHK-yuu-tihv
noun
1
A senior manager with authority to make important decisions in a company or organization.
"She was promoted to senior executive after ten years at the firm."
2
The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws and running day-to-day state affairs.
"The executive branch is headed by the President in the United States."
adj
1
Relating to management or the carrying out of decisions and plans.
"The board holds executive meetings every Monday morning."
How to Use Executive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA top-level decision-maker in a business or government, or anything relating to that role.
Common pairings
chief executive
executive branch
executive decision
Word Forms
more executive comparative, executives plural, most executive superlative
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She was promoted to senior _____ after ten years at the firm.
Etymology
From Latin exsequi, "to follow through" — via Middle French executif.