execute

American

[ek-si-kyoot] / ˈɛk sɪˌkyut /

verb (used with object)

executed, executing

to carry out; accomplish.

to execute a plan or order.

Synonyms:

finish, consummate, complete, achieve
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.
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.
Computers. to run (a program or routine) or carry out (an instruction in a program).

verb (used without object)

executed, executing

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.

execute British

/ ˈɛksɪˌkjuːt /

verb

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)

"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

Related Words

See perform. See kill ¹.

Other Word Forms

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

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”; ex- ¹, sequence

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.

This week, Hannah Erin Lang reports on Public, a privately held brokerage firm that’s rolling out a feature allowing customers to use AI to automate their investing tactics and execute trades.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

"Execution is another thing and I certainly didn't execute as well as I could have."

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Digital trading platform eToro also launched a tool that allowed investors to let an AI agent manage and execute trades in a dedicated portfolio.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Glowicki is a terrific filmmaker, marshaling her tiny troupe to execute this unique project.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

"I plot the course and execute it," he said.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023