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executive branch
/ɪɡˈzɛkjʊtɪv bræntʃ/
government division enforcing laws
The president heads the executive branch of the U.S. government.
The president is the leader of the part of the government that carries out laws.
Law
formal
The division of a government responsible for implementing and enforcing laws.
In the U.S., the executive branch includes the president, vice president, and Cabinet.
The U.S. executive branch consists of the president, vice president, and Cabinet members.
The executive branch drafts regulations to enforce laws passed by the legislature.
The executive branch creates rules to put laws made by the legislative branch into practice.
Commonly contrasted with the legislative branch (makes laws) and judicial branch (interprets laws).
Collocations
executive branch powersauthorities held by the executive divisionexecutive branch oversightsupervision of the executive division by other branchesexecutive branch agencya department within the executive division
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Capitalization Rule
Capitalize 'Executive Branch' when referring to a specific government's division (e.g., the Executive Branch of the U.S.). Use lowercase for general references (e.g., the executive branch of any government).
Gold Rule
Role Clarity
The executive branch enforces laws but does not create or interpret them—those roles belong to the legislative and judicial branches, respectively.
Word Origin
From Latin 'exsecutivus' (carrying out) + Old French 'branche' (branch), first used in political contexts in the 17th century.
Usage Notes
Always capitalized when referring to a specific government's executive branch (e.g., the Executive Branch of the United States).
Word Breakdown
executive
relating to carrying out laws or managing operations
rootbranch
a division of a larger system
rootEnglish Dictionary