Ask the Chatbot
Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
executive
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Read Next
The United States Supreme Court building, Washington, D.C.
14 Questions About Government in the United States Answered
Jacqueline Kennedy and Lady Bird Johnson stand by President Lyndon B. Johnson as he takes the oath of office aboard Air Force One after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, November 22, 1963.
Who Becomes President After the President and Vice President?
President Barack Obama signs the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans Executive Order in the Oval Office, July 26, 2012
What Is an Executive Order?
Artwork for themes for Pro-Con articles.
Pro and Con: Electoral College
"On the threshold of office--what have we to expect of him?" chromolithograph by Joseph Keppler, September 1881. Print shows the members of the assassinated James A. Garfield's cabinet looking at the new president, Chester Arthur. Chester A. Arthur.
The Surprisingly Disorderly History of the U.S. Presidential Succession Order
Discover
The impeachment trial of Pres. Andrew Johnson, illustration from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, March 28, 1868.
What If the President Is Impeached?
Hemp (Cannabis sativa).
9 Mind-Altering Plants
King Cobra snake in Malaysia. (reptile)
9 of the World’s Deadliest Snakes
Gills of three old specimens of webcap fungus (Cortinarius) in Gloucestershire, South West England. toxic, fungi, poisonous mushroom
7 of the World’s Most Poisonous Mushrooms
Rural Irish landscape, Sligo, Ireland.
Why Is Ireland Two Countries?
illustration of the walking titanosaurus, Patagotitan mayorum
Titanosaurs: 8 of the World's Biggest Dinosaurs
Alpaca and Llama side by side
What’s the Difference Between Llamas and Alpacas?

executive

government
Also known as: executive branch
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last Updated: • Article History
Supreme Court seems in no hurry to rule on Trump plea to rein in judges over birthright citizenship • Mar. 19, 2025, 12:19 PM ET (AP)

executive, In politics, a person or persons constituting the branch of government charged with executing or carrying out the laws and appointing officials, formulating and instituting foreign policy, and providing diplomatic representation. In the U.S., a system of checks and balances keeps the power of the executive more or less equal to that of the judiciary and the legislature. See also mayor, president, prime minister.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Jeannette L. Nolen.
Britannica Chatbot logo

Britannica Chatbot

Chatbot answers are created from Britannica articles using AI. This is a beta feature. AI answers may contain errors. Please verify important information using Britannica articles. About Britannica AI.