CEO — Chief Executive Officer
Definition: The top executive accountable for strategy, capital allocation, and the company's performance to the board. The job is not knowing everything — it is owning every consequence.
Example
A great CEO defends the strategy in the boardroom and defends the team in the all-hands — same week, same conviction.
When you'll hear it
CEO shows up most often in board meetings, quarterly business reviews, and strategy off-sites. When someone uses it, they're usually referring to chief executive officer — and they expect the room to already know what that means.
FAQs
What does CEO stand for?
CEO stands for Chief Executive Officer.
What does CEO mean in business and finance?
The top executive accountable for strategy, capital allocation, and the company's performance to the board. The job is not knowing everything — it is owning every consequence.
Where will I hear CEO used at work?
CEO comes up most often in board meetings, quarterly business reviews, and strategy off-sites. It's used as shorthand for chief executive officer, so people assume you already know the term.