executive

Pluralexecutives

1. 1
   company bossnouncountable

   A chief officer or administrator in an organization, especially one able to make significant decisions on their own authority.

   The executive signed off on the merger after a brief discussion.

   Several executives resigned following the accounting scandal.

   UsageOften in chief executive, with of or a possessive: the chief executive of the bank, the bank's chief executive.

   Similardirector, manager, administrator, officer, boss

2. 2
   running thingsadjective

   Having the power or responsibility to put plans, decisions, or laws into effect and to run an organization, business, or country.

   His executive duties include overseeing daily operations across three offices.

   The executive committee handles the organization's everyday decisions.

   UsageUsually before a noun: executive power, an executive committee, executive duties.

   Note

   The adjective covers both business and government: an executive committee or executive duties handle the running of an organization, while executive power or an executive order belongs to the branch that carries out the law.

3. 3
   nouncountable

   The arm of government charged with putting laws and court decisions into effect and with running the state from day to day.

   The executive carries out the policies approved by parliament.

   Critics argued that the executive had overstepped its constitutional limits.

   UsageUsually the executive, in the singular, for a government's branch; compare a company executive, a person.

   Similaradministration, government

4. 4
   high-endadjective

   Meant for senior or high-status people, such as top staff or premium customers; exclusive and high-end.

   Guests on the hotel's executive floor get breakfast in a private lounge.

   The building's executive apartments come with private elevators and concierge service.

   Similardeluxe, premium, upscale, exclusive, first-class

   Oppositestandard, budget

   Note

   Status travels from people to things. An executive bathroom in an office is one kept for those who run the place, and the word has widened from things kept for executives to anything reserved and high-end. Airlines and property developers use it as a label (an executive cabin, executive apartments) where no actual executive needs to be involved.

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