executive privilege

noun

: exemption from legally enforced disclosure of communications within the executive branch of government when such disclosure would adversely affect the functions and decision-making processes of the executive branch

Examples of executive privilege in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
His legal team had argued that the congressional subpoena was invalid because Trump had asserted executive privilege. Samuel Burke, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024 Navarro argued at his trial that executive privilege prevented him from cooperating with the committee. Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Oct. 2024 Both had received letters from a lawyer for the former president directing them not to respond to subpoenas from the committee, citing executive privilege. Glenn Kessler, Washington Post, 18 July 2024 But the Justice Department declined to take up the contempt referral, citing its longstanding policy to not prosecute officials for refusing to turn over subpoenaed information while citing executive privilege. Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 1 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for executive privilege 

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of executive privilege was in 1909

Dictionary Entries Near executive privilege

Cite this Entry

“Executive privilege.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/executive%20privilege. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.

Legal Definition

executive privilege

see privilege sense 1b

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!