# coo

/ˈku/ (US) · /kˈuː/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/coo
Updated: 2026-07-19

## Definition

Stands for Chief Operating Officer. The person in a company who manages the daily work and makes sure everything runs smoothly. They are usually the second most important person after the CEO.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Chief Operating Officer. The executive responsible for managing a company's day-to-day operations and reporting directly to the chief executive officer.

## Examples

- The COO is responsible for the factory's daily output.
- After the merger, the COO focused on integrating the two different supply chains to reduce costs.
- While the CEO focuses on long-term strategy and investor relations, the COO ensures that the internal infrastructure and personnel are capable of executing those high-level goals.

## Usage notes

- Often used as a title or a functional role within corporate hierarchies; frequently appears in business journalism.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.