: the executive with the chief decision-making authority in an organization or business

Examples of CEO in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Choose Chicago finally has a new head honcho in Kristen Reynolds, formerly the CEO of the tourism agency Discover Long Island. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025 Then-chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara’s team allowed the project to languish in development hell, whereupon it was acquired by Jason Blum at Universal’s Blumhouse. Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 6 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

chief executive officer

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of CEO was in 1914

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“CEO.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/CEO. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

: the executive with the chief decision-making power in an organization or business
Etymology

chief executive officer

Legal Definition

: the executive with the chief decision-making authority in an organization or business
Etymology

chief executive officer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!