executor

[ ig-zek-yuh-ter ek-si-kyoo-ter ]

noun

1. a person who executes, carries out, or performs some duty, job, assignment, artistic work, etc.
2. Law. a person named in a decedent's will to carry out the provisions of that will.

executor

/ ɪɡˈzɛkjʊtə /

noun

1. law a person appointed by a testator to carry out the wishes expressed in his will
2. a person who executes

Derived Forms

• exˈecutorˌship, noun
• exˌecuˈtorial, adjective

Other Words From

• ex·ec·u·to·ri·al [ig-zek-y, uh, -, tawr, -ee-, uh, l, -, tohr, -], adjective
• ex·ecu·tor·ship noun
• preex·ecu·tor noun
• subex·ecu·tor noun
• unex·ecu·tori·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of executor¹

1250–1300; Middle English executour < Latin execūtor, equivalent to execū ( tus ) ( execute ) + -tor, -tor; replacing Middle English esecutor < Anglo-French essecutour < Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of executor¹

C13: from Anglo-French executour, from Latin execūtor, from ex- ¹+ sequi follow

Example Sentences

Then, a few years before the Civil War broke out, he became the executor of his father-in-law’s estate, which included nearly 200 enslaved people.

From Washington Post

Of course, moderators have long existed in the offline world—lawmakers, police, and the courts can all be understood to be the executors of a kind of moderation power.

From Time

If I had to sum up the people that work at Rocket Lab, they’re just pure executors.

From TechCrunch

There’s always a partnership of a visionary and an executor, of a visionary and an operator who work in concert to advance something greater.

From Ozy

At that point an executor will be in charge of activating the service.

From The Daily Beast

In September, during a hike in Franklin Park, Chasen told Smilgis that there was a new will and that she was still co-executor.

From The Daily Beast

If the lessee die, his executor or administrator can assign the remainder of his term.

From Project Gutenberg

Or, if the land has been given to a devisee, he can require the executor or administrator to pay the mortgage.

From Project Gutenberg

If dead or insane, the oath must be made by his executor, administrator, or other representative.

From Project Gutenberg

The hard-hearted executor of the law was brought within the influence of her enchantment.

From Project Gutenberg

An executor would be admitted to give evidence of the validity of a will, which he could not do at present.

From Project Gutenberg