n. 1. A person or group having administrative or managerial authority in an organization. 2. The chief officer of a government, state, or political division. 3. The branch of government charged with putting into effect a country's laws and the administering of its functions. 4. Computers A set of coded instructions designed to process and control other coded instructions. adj. 1. Of, relating to, capable of, or suited for carrying out or executing: an advisory body lacking executive powers. 2. Having, characterized by, or relating to administrative or managerial authority: the executive director of a drama troupe; executive experience and skills. 3. Of or relating to the branch of government charged with the execution and administration of the nation's laws. [Middle English, to be carried out, from Old French exécutif, from executer, to carry out; see EXECUTE.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.