executioner

[ ek-si-kyoo-shuh-ner ]

/ ˌɛk sɪˈkyu ʃə nər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR executioner ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an official who inflicts capital punishment in pursuance of a legal warrant.

a person who executes an act, will, judgment, etc.

RELATED WORDS

killer, garroter, strangler, lyncher

Nearby words

Origin of executioner

First recorded in 1555–65; execution + -er¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for executioner

I Am An Executioner offers a fiercely creative—and deeply morbid—vision of what it takes to stay alive.
Must Read Fiction: ‘Prague Fatale,’ ‘Derby Day’ and More|Malcolm Forbes, Hillary Kelly, Mythili Rao|May 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
“Oh, by a new method, which I have invented myself,” declared the Executioner.
Dick, Marjorie and Fidge|G. E. Farrow
For what's the object of being an Executioner if one can't execute?
John Dough and the Cherub|L. Frank Baum
He told the Executioner, he was a strong man, and Prayed to be put out of misery as soon as possible.
Privateering and Piracy in the Colonial Period|Various

And why would an Executioner that is higher again in the profession be checked.
Three Wonder Plays|Lady I. A. Gregory
Not quite,” answered the Executioner, who was putting the finishing touches to the effigy; “his head keeps tumbling off.
Dick, Marjorie and Fidge|G. E. Farrow

British Dictionary definitions for executioner

executioner

/ (ˌɛksɪˈkjuːʃənə) /

noun

an official charged with carrying out the death sentence passed upon a condemned person

an assassin, esp one appointed by a political or criminal organization

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 executioner

executioner

"headsman," 1560s; "one who carries into effect," 1590s; agent noun from execution.