executed

American  

[ek-si-kyoo-tid] / ˈɛk sɪˌkyu tɪd /

adjective

1. carried out or acted on; performed.

   Doctors and nurses protested the central government's poorly executed offloading of healthcare responsibility to county governments.

2. put to death according to law.

   Historically, an executed criminal was first buried in a public plot and only a year later transferred to the family grave.

3. murdered or assassinated, especially swiftly and dispassionately or with political motivation.

   Videos even show the guerillas rejoicing over their executed victims.

4. produced from a design or concept, as a piece of art or other skilled work.

   From the smoky wood flavors of seasonal appetizers to the finely executed desserts, the bistro keeps customers coming back for more.

5. Law.

   1. (of a law, judicial sentence, etc.) put into force or effect.

      The Board is established for the purpose of hearing and deciding on appeals of a lawfully executed order.

   2. (of a legal instrument) completed or transacted by fulfilling legal requirements, as by signing or sealing.

      To access this funding, municipalities must submit signed construction contracts and an executed loan agreement by June 17.

6. Computers. (of a program, routine, or instruction) carried out.

   Press F11, and the most recently executed launch configuration will be launched.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of execute.

Other Word Forms

• unexecuted adjective
• well-executed adjective

Etymology

Origin of executed

execute ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

I executed under the pressure and sometimes you can't make the ball do exactly what you want it to do.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

McDuff was recaptured in 1992 and executed in 1998.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

For Scott Barshay, who has developed a reputation as one of the country’s most adept dealmakers, the coolly executed changing of the guard in February wasn’t too much of a stretch.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

“We are in active negotiations with multiple counterparties, but as of today, we’ve not executed a definitive lease agreement,” Fermi Chief Financial Officer Miles Everson said on a conference call Monday morning.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

With almost no intriguing at all, General Peckem had executed a maneuver that would eventually double his strength.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller