Definition

1. Noun:
   • A federal department in the executive branch of the government of the United States: An "executive department" is a primary administrative unit of the U.S. federal government, headed by a Secretary (or Attorney General for the Department of Justice) who is a member of the President's Cabinet. These departments are responsible for implementing and enforcing federal laws and administering national programs.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Department of State is an executive department responsible for foreign policy.
  • Funding for the new initiative must be approved by the relevant executive department.
  • The President meets regularly with the heads of the executive departments.

Advanced Usage

• "Cabinet-level executive department": This phrase emphasizes that the department's leader serves in the President's Cabinet.
  • The Department of Homeland Security became a Cabinet-level executive department in 2002.

Variants and Related Words

• Executive branch (n): The branch of the U.S. government responsible for enforcing laws, which includes the President, the Cabinet (heads of executive departments), and other agencies.
• Cabinet (n): A body of advisers to the President, composed of the heads of the executive departments and other high-ranking officials.

Synonyms

• Federal department: A department of the national government.
• Cabinet department: Highlights the department's status within the President's advisory group.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "executive department" specifically refers to the fifteen current major departments (e.g., Department of Defense, Department of the Treasury) as defined by U.S. law. It is a formal, legal term within the context of the U.S. government structure. It is not typically used to describe departments within state governments or within the legislative or judicial branches.

Noun

1. a federal department in the executive branch of the government of the United States