: 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.
Anning co-founder and CEO Sophie Broun believes that methods borrowed from the oil and gas industry could unlock this energy source. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Oct. 2026 Alvin Cheung, the university’s president and CEO, said the school recruits people who are comfortable participating in medical education and helping students develop clinical skills. — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 18 Oct. 2026 Since its founding in 1946, fast-food chicken chain Chick-fil-A has remained closed on Sundays, and according to CEO Andrew Cathy, that policy will not be changing anytime soon. — Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 Instead, the Gables mayor has the same voting powers as the rest of the commission, which acts like a board of directors for the city and directs the city manager, who is like the city’s CEO, to take certain actions through majority votes. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for CEO

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 20 Oct. 2026.

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

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