execute

[ ek-si-kyoot ]

/ ˈɛk sɪˌkyut /

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See synonyms for: execute / executed / executes / executing on Thesaurus.com

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 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR execute

1 achieve, complete, consummate; finish.

7a enforce, apply.

See synonyms for execute on Thesaurus.com

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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

synonym study for execute

2. See perform. 3. See kill¹.

OTHER WORDS FROM execute

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·ing, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH execute

kill¹, execute , murder (see synonym study at kill¹)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use execute in a sentence

While thus discoursing, this wild executer of the laws had unfettered the prisoner.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 57, No. 355, May 1845|Various
She was the instigator and the executer of the crime against Naboth.
The Expositor's Bible|F. W. Farrar
It was, however, well understood at Athens that the planner and executer of the deed was Demosthenes.
Vacation days in Greece|Rufus B. Richardson

British Dictionary definitions for execute

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 forms of execute

executer, 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

execute

OTHER WORDS FOR execute

Origin of execute

synonym study for execute

OTHER WORDS FROM execute

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH execute

Words related to execute

How to use execute in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for execute

Derived forms of execute

Word Origin for execute