execute

[ ek-si-kyoot ]

/ ˈɛk sɪˌkyut /

SEE MORE 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 to 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.

Nearby words

Origin of execute

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

SYNONYMS FOR execute

1. achieve, complete, finish, consummate. 7a. enforce, administer.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR execute ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

ex·e·cut·a·ble, adjectiveex·e·cut·er, nounnon·ex·e·cut·a·ble, adjectiveout·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, adjectiveun·ex·e·cut·ed, adjectiveun·ex·e·cut·ing, adjectivewell-ex·e·cut·ed, adjective

Synonym study

2. See perform. 3. See kill¹.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for execute

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|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|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|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|DAILY BEAST

The Sunnis execute prisoners en masse, their messages expressed in high body counts.
Whatever You Do Someone Will Die. A Short Story About Impossible Choices in Iraq|Nathan Bradley Bethea|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nearly thirty of them volunteered their services to execute the order.
Darius the Great|Jacob Abbott
It was his province to make the laws, as well as execute them.
Alonzo Fitz and Other Stories|Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
However, whether mad or simple, I have no idea of attempting to execute any of them at present.
With the Allies to Pekin|George Alfred Henty
The arbitration of bishops had the force of positive law, and judges were instructed to execute the episcopal decrees.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume IV|John Lord
"Then," returned Mr. Lincoln, "I will pardon him," and he proceeded forthwith to execute the paper.
Abraham Lincoln|William Eleroy Curtis

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; doto execute an order

to perform; accomplish; effectto execute a pirouette

to make or produceto 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)

Derived Formsexecuter, noun

Word Origin for execute

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

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

Word Origin and History for execute

execute

late 14c., "to carry into effect," from Old French executer (14c.), from Medieval Latin executare, from Latin execut-/exsecut-, past participle stem of exequi/exsequi "to follow out" (see execution). Meaning "to inflict capital punishment" is from late 15c. Related: Executed; executing.