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

• 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

“At the end of the day, it’s all about execution, left tackle doing his job, running back, receiver, and Fernando being on point,” Cignetti said.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s a minimum of four years to get halfway there, assuming unlimited capital and perfect execution.

From MarketWatch

He began as a Royal Academician, became an ardent revolutionary, barely escaped execution after the fall of Robespierre, went on to be Napoleon’s chief propagandist, and ended life a political exile.

From The Wall Street Journal

The number of executions in Iran in 2025 has more than doubled compared to the amount which took place across the country in 2024.

From BBC

He was spared execution when one of his captors took a second look at his face and recognized him as the generous schoolmate who used to share his lunch.

From Los Angeles Times