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

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

Critics, however, argue that the government's response has been inconsistent - strong in rhetoric but weak in execution.

From BBC • May 3, 2026

Jackson currently serves as chief operating officer, where he has focused on delivering value through resource improvement and cost efficiency by improving well performance, focusing on organic development and operational execution, and applying innovative technology.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

“The increased outlook is driven by resilient end markets and solid execution by our team,” said CEO Joe Creed on his company’s earnings conference call.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

“Our team delivered a strong start to the year, driven by resilient end markets and disciplined execution in a dynamic operating environment,” chairman and CEO Joe Creed said in a statement published Thursday.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

After further pleading by our other clients, we decided to do what we could for Michael Lindsey, whose execution date was fast approaching.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson