execute

[ ek-si-kyoot ]

/ ˈɛk sɪˌkyut /

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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

execrative, execratory, executable, executant, executary, execute, execution, executioner, executive, executive agreement, executive branch

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.

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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 executed

Yet the email references the 1970s, “when police officers were ambushed and executed on a regular basis.”
We Need Our Police to Be Better Than This|Nick Gillespie|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The families had gathered that Sunday to remember Ali Bazzal, a soldier whom the Nusra Front declared they had executed on Dec. 6.
A Sunni-Shia Love Story Imperiled by al Qaeda|Ruth Michaelson|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Last week, Robert Wayne Holsey of Georgia and Paul Goodwin of Missouri were executed within just a few hours of each other.
How the U.S. Justice System Screws Prisoners with Disabilities|Elizabeth Picciuto|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Despite Atkins, people with IQs lower than 70 have since been executed.
How the U.S. Justice System Screws Prisoners with Disabilities|Elizabeth Picciuto|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The way it was executed was maybe not satisfying to people, and it was in no way tied up in a bow.
Michael C. Hall on Going Drag for ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ and Exorcising ‘Dexter’|Marlow Stern|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He has been tried as a spy, condemned as a spy, and shall be executed as a spy, and the flag is ordered to depart immediately.
Elsie and Her Loved Ones|Martha Finley
Sombreuil was tried and executed at Vannes, and over 700 were shot in batches on successive days in a field near Auray.
The Political History of England - Vol. X.|William Hunt
The prudence of Stilicho conceived and executed, without delay, the most effectual measure for the relief of the Roman people.
The History of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire|Edward Gibbon
Soon after this, he heard that his friend had been condemned and executed.
The International Monthly, Volume 4, No. 4, November 1, 1851|Various
William Burke was hanged in Galway, and forty-five persons were executed.
An Illustrated History of Ireland from AD 400 to 1800|Mary Frances Cusack

British Dictionary definitions for executed

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 executed

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.

execute

verb (used with object), ex·e·cut·ed, ex·e·cut·ing.

verb (used without object), ex·e·cut·ed, ex·e·cut·ing.

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execute

verb (tr)

Word Origin for execute

Word Origin and History for executed

execute

execute

verb (used without object), ex·e·cut·ed, ex·e·cut·ing.

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execute

verb (tr)

Word Origin for execute

Word Origin and History for executed

execute

British Dictionary definitions for executed