noun · person with a leading role in an organization or company; often used as a respectful address for an executive

王老总正在开会，请稍等。

noun · a high-ranking commander in the People's Liberation Army (PLA), typically used after a surname

朱老总亲临前线指挥战斗。

noun · a high-ranking government official during the Qing dynasty

这位老总在清朝朝廷中极具影响力。

noun · an old-fashioned, courteous term used by civilians to address a rank-and-file soldier or police officer

那个村民走上前，客气地问路过的士兵：“老总，去城里怎么走？”