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

The Goliath Corp., meanwhile, yearns to eliminate Thursday and execute grandiose schemes of literary mischief.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 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

Also, the process to execute inmates on death row has grown longer and costlier, as appeals helped push up the average age at execution to nearly 60 years old.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026

It takes an immaculate plan, and then you execute it brilliantly, and then—nothing.

From "Paper Towns" by John Green

The three ways that a democracy executes its governance are through legislation, regulation, and litigation in courts.

From Slate ● Oct. 5, 2026

When an agentic model in an evaluation sandbox connects to an unauthorized server or executes an exploit, it hasn’t staged a coup.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026

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

From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026

Citadel executes roughly 35% of all retail order volume in the U.S., making it the largest market maker trading against this cohort.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 1, 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

Though targeted, it escaped the Gardner’s infamous 1990 heist—probably because Rembrandt executed it on heavy oak panel.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026

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

The Death Penalty Information Center says 135 troops have been executed by the US military since 1916.

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

Raphael’s face was found boldly executed on the underside of the moulding board, and Bacchus on the head of a beer barrel.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

“We are executing a search warrant. Court documents are sealed. No arrests are planned,” said FBI spokesperson Lourdes Arocho.

From Los Angeles Times ● 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

They say management is executing solidly on a strategic plan, but that risk return is not hugely attractive relative to other opportunities within Australian tech, media and telco.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026

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

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

Only after she genuinely faints during a session, rather than perfectly executing the choreographed dramatic swoon, does he relent to a respite at their home in New York.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

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Related Words

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

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