execute

American  

[ek-si-kyoot] / ˈɛk sɪˌkjut /

verb (used with object)

• executes,
  present (3rd person singular)
• executed,
  past participle,  past
• executing
  present participle

1. to carry out; accomplish.

   to execute a plan or order.

   Synonyms:

   finish, consummate, complete, achieve

2. to perform or do.

   to execute a maneuver;

   to execute a gymnastic feat.

3. to inflict capital punishment on; put to death according to law.

4. to murder; assassinate.

5. to produce in accordance with a plan or design.

   a painting executed by an unknown artist.

6. to perform or play (a piece of music).

7. Law.

   1. to give effect or force to (a law, decree, judicial sentence, etc.).

   2. to carry out the terms of (a will).

   3. 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.

8. Computers. to run (a program or routine) or carry out (an instruction in a program).

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verb (used without object)

• executes,
  present (3rd person singular)
• executed,
  past participle,  past
• executing
  present participle

1. to perform or accomplish something, as an assigned task.

2. 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.

execute British  

/ ˈɛksɪˌkjuːt /

verb

1. to put (a condemned person) to death; inflict capital punishment upon

2. to carry out; complete; perform; do

   to execute an order

3. to perform; accomplish; effect

   to execute a pirouette

4. to make or produce

   to execute a drawing

5. to carry into effect (a judicial sentence, the law, etc); enforce

6. law to comply with legal formalities in order to render (a deed, etc) effective, as by signing, sealing, and delivering

7. to sign (a will) in the presence of witnesses and in accordance with other legal formalities

8. to carry out the terms of (a contract, will, etc)

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Synonym Usage

See perform. See kill ¹.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• executer
  noun
• outexecute
  verb (used with object)
• preexecute
  verb (used with object)
• reexecute
  verb (used with object)
• executable
  adjective
• nonexecutable
  adjective
• unexecutable
  adjective
• unexecuting
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• executing
  present
• executed
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• execute
  simple
• executes
  simple
• have executed
  perfect
• has executed
  perfect
• am executing
  progressive
• are executing
  progressive
• is executing
  progressive
• have been executing
  perfect progressive
• has been executing
  perfect progressive

Past

• executed
  simple
• had executed
  perfect
• was executing
  progressive
• were executing
  progressive
• had been executing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will execute
  simple
• will have executed
  perfect
• will be executing
  progressive
• will have been executing
  perfect progressive

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Etymology

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

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Explanation

To execute means to carry out in full or perform. If you execute all the difficult steps of the dance perfectly, you will make your instructor proud. Here’s what’s tricky about execute: the first thing you think of is being punished with death for criminal actions. Actually, it's more commonly used in the sense of “to carry out in full.” So don't be alarmed with visions of the hooded guy at the guillotine when someone congratulates you on a plan well executed. Think of the word executive to get a closer grasp of both the meaning and the context.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

execute executes executed executing

Even if he is defeated on Tuesday, Mr. Netanyahu could decide to launch one last strike that he may believe his successor would hesitate to execute.

From Salon ● Oct. 27, 2026

If these death row inmates are utterly changed — no longer dangerous, and hopeful of contributing to society — what purpose does it serve for the state to execute them?

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026

Fuller had previously said the initial offer lacked details about how Ancora would execute the transaction.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026

James Trafford: Brave enough to race 30 yards out of his box to clear when failure to execute would have been disastrous.

From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026

It was an impossibly complex and gruesome plan, likely beyond the powers of anyone to execute, but his description is noteworthy for what it revealed, without his intention, about his astigmatic soul.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

But like the show’s savvy titular character, she perfectly executes the art of the charming evasion when pressed for answers — namely, how close are we to getting there?

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

Citadel Securities says it executes approximately 35% of all U.S.-listed retail trading volume, making it the largest by market share.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026

And whoever executes their gameplan the best will lift the trophy.

From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026

You want to be the person who decides what to do, not the one who executes it.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026

She leaps from her perch, deploys a tiny parachute, and executes a soft landing—straddling the thrumming ray gun as if it was a bucking bronco.

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein

Smartly, Fischer and Wilson build out this community with its own strange customs, big and small, each executed without explanation, question or complaint.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026

According to Amnesty International, the country has executed around 100 people this year, many of whom are foreigners convicted of drug offences.

From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026

"I was very careful how I executed this."

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

The Justice Department said in a statement that the agents executed a court-authorized search in the D.C. area but declined to elaborate.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026

Lindsey's lawyer, David Bagwell, was a respected civil attorney from Mobile; he had worked on the case of Wayne Ritter, who'd been executed a year earlier.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

On Tuesday, FBI agents were in Beverly Hills executing a search warrant on North Roxbury Drive in connection with the probe.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026

Enrique Lores, who became PayPal’s chief executive in March, reiterated that while the company will evaluate any merger or acquisition proposal, he remains focused on executing PayPal’s turnaround.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

A Pentagon office has been tasked with someday executing the financial transaction to capitalize on the U.S. government’s 35% share in the venture.

From Salon ● Oct. 23, 2026

The state gave up on executing him following a legal settlement that related, in part, to his health.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

At first I took her as being exceedingly proper, but I soon realized that she was simply executing the language.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee

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Related Words

• accomplish
• complete
• do
• enact
• enforce
• implement
• meet
• perform
• prosecute
• pull off
• take care of

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