implement
Americannoun
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any article used in some activity, especially an instrument, tool, or utensil.
agricultural implements.
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an article of equipment, as household furniture, clothing, ecclesiastical vestments, or the like.
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a means; agent.
human beings as an implement of divine plan.
verb (used with object)
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to fulfill; perform; carry out.
Once in office, he failed to implement his campaign promises.
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to put into effect according to or by means of a definite plan or procedure.
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Computers. to realize or instantiate (an element in a program), often under certain conditions as specified by the software involved.
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to fill out or supplement.
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to provide with implements.
noun
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a piece of equipment; tool or utensil
gardening implements
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something used to achieve a purpose; agent
verb
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to carry out; put into action; perform
to implement a plan
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archaic to complete, satisfy, or fulfil
Usage
What are other ways to say implement? The word implement broadly refers to any article used in some activity. When should you use this noun over tool, instrument, or utensil? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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implementationnoun
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implementernoun
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implementornoun
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nonimplementnoun
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reimplementverb (used with object)
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implementableadjective
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implementaladjective
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nonimplementaladjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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implementsimple
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implementssimple
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have implementedperfect
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has implementedperfect
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am implementingprogressive
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are implementingprogressive
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is implementingprogressive
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have been implementingperfect progressive
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has been implementingperfect progressive
Past
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implementedsimple
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had implementedperfect
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was implementingprogressive
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were implementingprogressive
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had been implementingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of implement
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Late Latin implēmentum “a filling up,” equivalent to Latin implē(re) “to fill up” ( im- im- 1 + plēre “to fill” ) + -mentum -ment
Explanation
Apply the noun implement when you want to use a fancy word for "tool." A knife and fork are implements for handling food. The noun implement is a very useful word for just about anything you want to describe as a tool or a thing that helps you do something. An implement can be as simple as chimpanzees using a stick to eat ants with or a bulldozer that moves huge amounts of earth in building. The word relates to something that "fills up" a house, as in all sorts of things that allow a house to work properly.
Vocabulary lists containing implement
Essential English Vocabulary, List 1
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"A Retrieved Reformation" by O. Henry
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30 GRE Words Beginning with "I"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"We do implement a number of deterrents and any other measures are as a last resort only," the operator said.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Korean authorities are working to restore order, with President Lee Jae Myung telling regulators to implement measures to curb speculative trading, “quickly and aggressively.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
The National Park Service announced in February — after the agency under the Biden administration studied extensively how to best implement a reservation system — that officials would instead use “targeted management.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
He also said his first instruction would be a pledge to "end rough sleeping", a measure he attempted to implement as a regional mayor in northern England, although it was not fully successful.
From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026
In short order, Malan began to implement his pernicious program.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
The project is one of the major street redesigns moving forward as Los Angeles implements Measure HLA.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026
This last type of scenario has been a moneymaker for companies such as Frontier.io, which implements augmented-reality software using existing hardware.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
Since tariffs discourage the purchase of imported goods, a country that implements them and has significant market power will effectively force foreign sellers to reduce prices over time.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
More than 100 pages of court documents which showed the wide range of items Murrell bought over a 12-year period revealed thousands of pounds went on kitchen implements and appliances.
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026
“Where are the implements, the bones of animals upon which these old men have fed?. . . Where is the explanation of all this? What is the matter?”
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
"We implemented between then the Renters' Rights Act which is giving renters more power and control."
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Three days after the executive order, the White House implemented the order through National Security Presidential Memorandum 7, which converts the fiction into machinery.
From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2026
"When the right decision has to be implemented in spite of the system, rather than because of it, it means that the system itself needs to change," he said in a rare public intervention.
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026
Temporary U.S. tariffs implemented in February are due to expire Friday.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
It was the same process Washington had developed with his staff as commander in chief of the Continental Army, then implemented with his cabinet as president.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
China is implementing new rules and laws to tighten control over how its superrich citizens invest overseas and bypass capital controls.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
“We’re just implementing the agenda of the president as we’ve been directed through the national security strategy and the White House,” the State Department official told ProPublica.
From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2026
It added: "The WTA recognises that this is a sensitive and complex issue and is committed to treating all players with dignity and implementing the policy in a respectful and thoughtful way."
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
Meta and Oracle slashed over 10% of their workforces in favor of implementing AI into its operations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026
This was her idea they were talking about implementing.
From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
