implement
Americannoun
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implements
plural
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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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implements,
present (3rd person singular)
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implemented,
past participle, past
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implementing
present participle
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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:
And Liani noted that the company owns historical data and context on how companies conduct their workflows, which he thinks positions it well to implement agentic-AI solutions.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026
But she agreed that July’s dozens-fold repeat of the 2023 attack pointed to a failure to implement and audit CISA’s earlier guidance—guidance that, again, merely amounted to “Set better passwords.”
From Slate ● Aug. 19, 2026
Los Angeles could become one of the first major election jurisdictions to implement guidance or policy related to prediction markets.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026
“We need to implement a more cohesive brand identity, dialing up the iconic deluxe purple.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
Once the taste of earth had settled his heart rate, he decided it was time to implement his escape plan.
From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer
Early humans often used bone implements to sharpen the cutting edges of handaxes and tools used for butchering animals.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 27, 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
A number of items listed on the charge sheet including Le Creuset and Joseph Joseph kitchen implements, an Alessi teapot and various Molton Brown toiletries were found inside the vehicle.
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026
According to Achilles, FSG frequently implements the 5-by-8 trim size.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2026
Bass and the other archaeologists concluded the merchant captain of the ship used these broken implements as scrap bronze, which he or someone else could melt down to make brand-new tools.
From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler
The student-friendly experience is automatically implemented and includes homework help, break reminders and stronger guardrails against emotional dependence.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026
"In situations where soldiers fail to adhere to IDF orders, the incidents are thoroughly reviewed, and disciplinary actions are implemented accordingly", it added.
From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026
Any extra precautions or preventative measures will be implemented if needed, it says.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
Bradnam said he had not received any "formal response" to his complaints, nor any "confirmation that my recommendations have been implemented or that the assurance gaps they identified have been addressed".
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 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
District Judge Indira Talwani issued an injunction that prevented the federal government from implementing that EO.
From Slate ● Aug. 20, 2026
But it is in fact a generic program for implementing various scripts, or personae, the most famous of them being Doctor.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
Furthermore, federal courts have typically given the president broad discretion in implementing the statute.
From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026
"It leads to a situation where even if there were real time savings, it would be sucked up by the changes, and implementing them, and making sure they worked," Thompson said.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
When they turned eighteen, men had to register with the Selective Service System, the agency responsible for implementing a draft.
From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge
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.
