execute

[ek-si-kyoot]

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.
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.
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.

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

Related formsex·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.

Synonyms for execute

1. achieve, complete, finish, consummate. 7a. enforce, administer.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for executer

Historical Examples of executer

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 executer

execute

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 executer

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.