# executive

/ɪɡˈzɛkjətɪv/ (US) · /ɛɡzˈɛkjuːtˌɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/executive
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. business leader

noun · CEFR B2

a person who has a high-level job in a company and makes important decisions.

For teachers: a person with senior managerial responsibility in a business organisation, typically possessing the authority to make significant strategic decisions.

- The marketing executive decided to launch the new product line in the spring.
- The chief executive faced intense questioning from the board regarding the company's declining profit margins in the third quarter.

### 2. branch of government

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the part of a government that is responsible for making sure laws are followed.

For teachers: the branch of government charged with the execution and enforcement of laws and the administration of public affairs.

- The executive and the legislature often disagree on how to spend the budget.
- Constitutional scholars debated whether the executive had exceeded its legal authority by issuing the emergency decree without parliamentary approval.

### 3. relating to management

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

relating to the job of managing a company or making decisions.

For teachers: relating to the power to put plans, actions, or laws into effect; specifically concerning high-level management.

- She has excellent executive skills and knows how to lead a large team.
- The candidate demonstrated strong executive functioning, particularly in her ability to prioritise complex tasks under significant time pressure.

### 4. expensive or high-quality

adjective · CEFR B2

expensive, high-quality, or designed for important people.

For teachers: denoting something of high quality, exclusivity, or cost, intended for use by senior professionals.

- The company booked an executive suite for the visiting clients.
- The airline's executive lounge offers a quiet environment and premium amenities for business travellers during long layovers.

### 5. computing supervisor

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a computer program that controls how other programs run.

For teachers: a system program or process that coordinates and governs the execution of other processes or threads.

- The real-time executive ensures that every task finishes before its deadline.
- The embedded system uses a minimal executive to manage task switching without the overhead of a full operating system.

## Examples

- The marketing executive approved the new advertising campaign.
- After the merger, several senior executives were replaced to align the company with the new board's vision.
- The chief executive argued that long-term sustainability required a fundamental shift in how the firm allocated its research and development budget.

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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.