ex·ec·u·tive
ig-ˈze-k(y)ə-tiv 
-kyü-
1
a
: of or relating to the execution of the laws and the conduct of public and national affairs
b
: belonging to the branch of government that is charged with such powers as diplomatic representation, superintendence of the execution of the laws, and appointment of officials and that usually has some power over legislation (as through veto) compare judicial, legislative
2
a
: designed for or relating to execution or carrying into effect
executive board
b
: having administrative or managerial responsibility
executive director
3
: of or relating to an executive
the executive offices
1
: the executive branch of a government
also
: the person or persons who constitute the executive magistracy of a state
2
: a directing or controlling office of an organization
3
: one that exercises administrative or managerial control
Synonyms
Examples of executive in a Sentence
Adjective
She has good executive skills.
He has an executive position in the company.
In the U.S., the President is the head of the executive branch of government.
Noun
The television network's executives decided not to air the controversial show.
The President is the chief executive of the U.S.
matters of policy controlled by the executive
Recent Examples on the Web
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2024
As the title suggests, the series will be set on Earth and take place near the end of the 21st century, before the event’s of Ridley Scott’s 1979 space-horror classic (Scott is an executive producer of the series via his Scott Free company).
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
Len Covello, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Company executives at the time pointed to plans to introduce the McValue platform in early 2025.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for executive 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
Actor Kevin Bacon was an executive producer alongside Mark Wells, Glenn Coomber, Aaron Stone, Alastair Burlingham, Gary Raskin, David Schiff, Scott Henry and GW Wright.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2024
As the title suggests, the series will be set on Earth and take place near the end of the 21st century, before the event’s of Ridley Scott’s 1979 space-horror classic (Scott is an executive producer of the series via his Scott Free company).
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives.
—Len Covello, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Company executives at the time pointed to plans to introduce the McValue platform in early 2025.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for executive
Dictionary Entries Near executive
Cite this Entry
“Executive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/executive. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
executive
1 of 2 adjective
ex·ec·u·tive
ig-ˈzek-(y)ət-iv
1
: of or relating to the carrying out of laws and the conduct of public and national affairs
the executive branch of government
2
: fitted for or relating to the managing or directing of things
executive skills
an executive program for a computer
3
: of or relating to an executive
the executive offices
executive
2 of 2 noun1
: the executive branch of a government
2
: a person who manages or directs
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share