execute

[ ek-si-kyoot ]

See synonyms for execute on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),ex·e·cut·ed, ex·e·cut·ing.

to carry out; accomplish: to execute a plan or order.
to perform or do: to execute a maneuver;to execute a gymnastic feat.

to inflict capital punishment on; put to death according to law.
to murder; assassinate.
to produce in accordance with a plan or design: a painting executed by an unknown artist.
to perform or play (a piece of music).
Law.
- to give effect or force to (a law, decree, judicial sentence, etc.).
- to carry out the terms of (a will).
- to transact or carry through (a contract, mortgage, etc.) in the manner prescribed by law; complete and give validity to (a legal instrument) by fulfilling the legal requirements, as by signing or sealing.
Computers. to run (a program or routine) or carry out (an instruction in a program).

verb (used without object),ex·e·cut·ed, ex·e·cut·ing.

to perform or accomplish something, as an assigned task.
Sports. to perform properly the fundamental moves or mechanics of a sport, game, position, or particular play; show smoothness in necessary skills: We just didn't execute defensively.

Origin of execute

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English executen, from Old French executer, from Medieval Latin execūtāre, derivative of Latin execūtus, past participle of ex(s)equī “to follow up, carry out (punishment), execute”; see ex-¹, sequence

synonym study For execute

2. See perform. 3. See kill¹.

Other words for execute

1	achieve, complete, consummate; finish
7a	enforce, apply

See synonyms for execute on Thesaurus.com

Other words from execute

ex·e·cut·a·ble, adjective
ex·e·cut·er, noun
non·ex·e·cut·a·ble, adjective
out·ex·e·cute, verb (used with object), out·ex·e·cut·ed, out·ex·e·cut·ing.
pre·ex·e·cute, verb (used with object), pre·ex·e·cut·ed, pre·ex·e·cut·ing.
re·ex·e·cute, verb (used with object), re·ex·e·cut·ed, re·ex·e·cut·ing.
un·ex·e·cut·a·ble, adjective
un·ex·e·cut·ing, adjective

Words that may be confused with execute

kill¹, execute , murder (see synonym study at kill¹)

Words Nearby execute

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use execute in a sentence

The tour ended up costing us $147,802 to produce and execute.
How Much Money Does a Band Really Make on Tour? | Jack Conte | December 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Around noon, the order was given to execute the mission the next day.
‘Argo’ in the Congo: The Ghosts of the Stanleyville Hostage Crisis | Nina Strochlic | November 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
But it was the first time that I showed Lorne and Seth and everyone at the show that I could handle the pressure and execute.
How Aidy Bryant Stealthily Became Your Favorite ‘Saturday Night Live’ Star | Kevin Fallon | October 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
On June 3, the rebel leader announced he would execute Budik and another captive, a secret police colonel.
A Torture Survivor on Ukraine's Tortured Ceasefire | Anna Nemtsova | September 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
They planned to take Indian diplomats hostage and then execute them as Modi was took office.
Nuclear Pakistan's Spies Target India—and Their Own Prime Minister | Bruce Riedel | September 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

In case that they would not abandon the religion which they preached, the officials of Masamune commenced to execute their orders.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624 | Various
Indeed, in many cases a general agency requires the employment of many persons to execute the business.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney Bolles
The engine will be set to work before it is sent off, and every possible care taken to execute it in the most perfect order.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2) | Francis Trevithick
Until the mortgagor fails to execute his part of the agreement, he retains possession of the property.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney Bolles
Sometimes the contract states what the offending or wrongful party must pay should he fail to execute it.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney Bolles

British Dictionary definitions for execute

execute

/ (ˈɛksɪˌkjuːt) /

verb(tr)

to put (a condemned person) to death; inflict capital punishment upon
to carry out; complete; perform; do: to execute an order

to perform; accomplish; effect: to execute a pirouette
to make or produce: to execute a drawing
to carry into effect (a judicial sentence, the law, etc); enforce
law to comply with legal formalities in order to render (a deed, etc) effective, as by signing, sealing, and delivering
to sign (a will) in the presence of witnesses and in accordance with other legal formalities
to carry out the terms of (a contract, will, etc)

Origin of execute

C14: from Old French executer, back formation from executeur executor

Derived forms of execute

executer, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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