executor

American  

[ig-zek-yuh-ter, ek-si-kyoo-ter] / ɪgˈzɛk yə tər, ˈɛk sɪˌkyu tər /

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.

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executor British  

/ ɪɡˈzɛkjʊtə /

noun

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

2. a person who executes

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Other Word Forms

• executorial adjective
• executorship noun
• preexecutor noun
• subexecutor noun
• unexecutorial adjective

Etymology

Origin of executor

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

Compare meaning

How does executor compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• executor vs. executrix

Example Sentences

This pursuit of this truth makes him not only a liberating literary executor but also a worthy moral educator.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

I will become the executor of the trust, and I want to address this issue proactively before it becomes urgent.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026

Allen also owned the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. since his death, his sister Jody Allen has been executor of his estate, plus chair of the Seahawks and Trail Blazers.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

Is there anyone besides distant relatives that I can name as an executor and durable power of attorney in the event I become incapacitated?

From MarketWatch • Feb. 12, 2026

Despite this, when Poe unexpectedly passed away in 1849, Rufus GriswoId was named literary executor of his estate, to the surprise of many.

From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman