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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonexecution
  noun
• executional
  adjective
• 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

Explanation

The planning stage of building a tree house is the fun part — the hard part is the execution of your plan. Execution is taking an idea and actually making it happen. The execution of a plan is when you put it into effect, like the execution on the field of a football team's game plan. It can also mean the style in which a project is carried out, like a ballet's creative execution. Execution can also refer to the death of a person, either a prisoner who's been sentenced to death by a court of law, or a deliberate, targeted murder, especially when it's done for political reasons.

Example Sentences

"I don't know. I think it's just execution, greediness of some sort. We clearly weren't the most hungry in the second half."

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

“Our initiatives to improve operations, deepen guest connection, and enhance profitability continue to gain traction, with strong execution from our teams driving third quarter results that exceeded expectations,” Chief Executive Officer Julie Masino said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

“Although Orsted’s very recent track record has got better, we would want to see a sustained period of good execution, in order to become more constructive.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

“The next phase is about execution, pricing power and cash flow, not just attaching AI to a slide deck and hoping the stock market applauds.”

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

After the execution, Clinton remarked, “I can be nicked a lot, but no one can say I’m soft on crime.”

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander