execution

American  

[ek-si-kyoo-shuhn] / ˌɛk sɪˈkyu ʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of executing.

2. the state or fact of being executed.

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

4. the process of performing a judgment or sentence of a court.

   The judge stayed execution of the sentence pending appeal.

5. a mode or style of performance; technical skill, as in music.

   The pianist's execution of the sonata was consummate.

6. effective, usually destructive action, or the result attained by it (usually preceded bydo ).

   The grenades did rapid execution.

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

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

---

execution British  

/ ˌɛksɪˈkjuːʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of executing

2. the carrying out or undergoing of a sentence of death

3. the style or manner in which something is accomplished or performed; technique

   as a pianist his execution is poor

4. 1. the enforcement of the judgment of a court of law

   2. the writ ordering such enforcement

---

Other Word Forms

• executional adjective
• nonexecution noun
• preexecution noun
• reexecution noun

Etymology

Origin of execution

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English execucioun, from Latin ex(s)ecūtiōn-, stem of ex(s)ecūtiō “accomplishment, performance”; equivalent to execute + -ion

Example Sentences

If the metric comes in at 100%, that means a quantum gate—an essential component of quantum systems that enables the execution of algorithms—operates exactly as intended.

From Barron's

Shekhi said prisoners on death row in Iran were typically granted a final visit by their loved ones before their execution.

From BBC

He said Egyptian courts had ruled the building must be returned to its owners, but successive governments allegedly kept delaying execution of the order.

From Barron's

The beverage giant on Wednesday said it will create a new chief digital officer position and reorganize several senior-leadership responsibilities, underscoring efforts to centralize digital decision-making and speed up execution across its global business.

From The Wall Street Journal

The first execution of a prisoner arrested and convicted in connection with the protests is understood to be imminent, human rights activists said.

From The Wall Street Journal