execute
Americanverb (used with object)
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to carry out; accomplish.
to execute a plan or order.
- Synonyms:
- finish, consummate, complete, achieve
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to perform or do.
to execute a maneuver;
to execute a gymnastic feat.
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to inflict capital punishment on; put to death according to law.
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to murder; assassinate.
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to produce in accordance with a plan or design.
a painting executed by an unknown artist.
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to perform or play (a piece of music).
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Law.
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to give effect or force to (a law, decree, judicial sentence, etc.).
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to carry out the terms of (a will).
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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.
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Computers. to run (a program or routine) or carry out (an instruction in a program).
verb (used without object)
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to perform or accomplish something, as an assigned task.
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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.
verb
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to put (a condemned person) to death; inflict capital punishment upon
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to carry out; complete; perform; do
to execute an order
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to perform; accomplish; effect
to execute a pirouette
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to make or produce
to execute a drawing
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to carry into effect (a judicial sentence, the law, etc); enforce
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law to comply with legal formalities in order to render (a deed, etc) effective, as by signing, sealing, and delivering
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to sign (a will) in the presence of witnesses and in accordance with other legal formalities
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to carry out the terms of (a contract, will, etc)
Synonym Usage
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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executernoun
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executableadjective
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nonexecutableadjective
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unexecutableadjective
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unexecutingadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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executesimple
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executessimple
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have executedperfect
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has executedperfect
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am executingprogressive
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are executingprogressive
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is executingprogressive
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have been executingperfect progressive
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has been executingperfect progressive
Past
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executedsimple
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had executedperfect
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was executingprogressive
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were executingprogressive
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had been executingperfect progressive
Future
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
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.
Vocabulary lists containing execute
The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 4
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"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney
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The Watsons Go to Birmingham
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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.
“We proudly stand behind this agreement which delivers on our commitment to execute a safe, secure, and fiscally responsible Games that benefits Los Angeles for decades to come,” she said.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2026
“Then another agent will go and execute that transaction,” she says.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 24, 2026
The company said the suite of tools can give any agent —an AI which can work autonomously— the ability to synthesize and summarize scientific knowledge, evaluate results, and then reason and execute the next actions.
From Barron's • Jun. 23, 2026
Coaches prescribe solutions for players, who are selected to execute those ideas.
From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026
A space center that housed mankind's most advanced knowledge of rocketry yet had still failed to execute today's launch.
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
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
