execution

[ ek-si-kyoo-shuh n ]

/ ˌɛk sɪˈkyu ʃən /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR execution ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act or process of executing.

the state or fact of being executed.

the infliction of capital punishment or, formerly, of any legal punishment.

the process of performing a judgment or sentence of a court: The judge stayed execution of the sentence pending appeal.

a mode or style of performance; technical skill, as in music: The pianist's execution of the sonata was consummate.

effective, usually destructive action, or the result attained by it (usually preceded by do): The grenades did rapid execution.

Law. a judicial writ directing the enforcement of a judgment.

Computers. the act of running, or the results of having run, a program or routine, or the performance of an instruction.

Words nearby execution

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

Origin of execution

1250–1300; Middle English execucioun < Latin execūtiōn- (stem of execūtiō). See executive, -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM execution

ex·e·cu·tion·al, adjectivenon·ex·e·cu·tion, nounpre·ex·e·cu·tion, nounre·ex·e·cu·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for execution

Recall how Clinton returned to Arkansas from the campaign trail to preside over the execution of a mentally disabled man.
President Cuomo Would’ve Been a Lion|Jonathan Alter|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The execution of two police officers in cold blood has shocked the city and driven a deeper wedge between the cops and the mayor.
Two Cops ‘Assassinated’ in Brooklyn|Michael Daly|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Their intentions may be good, but their execution and insight are lousy.
Grief: The Real Monster in The Babadook|Tim Teeman|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Heavily armed Simbas had already arrived at the missionary house and were lining up families in the backyard for execution.
‘Argo’ in the Congo: The Ghosts of the Stanleyville Hostage Crisis|Nina Strochlic|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST

If they were well thought through, with a clear plan of execution, she was in, and ready to go to the mat.
The Valerie Jarrett I Know: How She Saved the Obama Campaign and Why She’s Indispensable|Joshua DuBois|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I could not carry my threat into execution, having no weapon.
Tales of the Wonder Club|M. Y. Halidom (pseud. Dryasdust)
And it is just in this respect that people make such terrible mistakes in the execution of his works.
Frederick Chopin as a Man and Musician|Frederick Niecks
The execution of this act of reverence evinced long and careful training.
Biography and Family Record of Lorenzo Snow|Eliza R. Snow Smith
Nothing, unless you like to sit by the fire and await the execution.
The Cruise of the "Lively Bee"|John De Morgan
Every execution—criminal or civil—had been therefore illegal.
The History of Tasmania, Volume I (of 2)|John West

British Dictionary definitions for execution

execution

/ (ˌɛksɪˈkjuːʃən) /

noun

the act or process of executing

the carrying out or undergoing of a sentence of death

the style or manner in which something is accomplished or performed; techniqueas a pianist his execution is poor

the enforcement of the judgment of a court of law
the writ ordering such enforcement

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

execution

noun

Words related to execution

Words nearby execution

Origin of execution

OTHER WORDS FROM execution

Examples from the Web for execution

British Dictionary definitions for execution

noun