implement
Americannoun
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implements
plural
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any article used in some activity, especially an instrument, tool, or utensil.
agricultural implements.
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an article of equipment, as household furniture, clothing, ecclesiastical vestments, or the like.
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a means; agent.
human beings as an implement of divine plan.
verb (used with object)
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implements,
present (3rd person singular)
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implemented,
past participle, past
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implementing
present participle
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to fulfill; perform; carry out.
Once in office, he failed to implement his campaign promises.
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to put into effect according to or by means of a definite plan or procedure.
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Computers. to realize or instantiate (an element in a program), often under certain conditions as specified by the software involved.
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to fill out or supplement.
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to provide with implements.
noun
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a piece of equipment; tool or utensil
gardening implements
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something used to achieve a purpose; agent
verb
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to carry out; put into action; perform
to implement a plan
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archaic to complete, satisfy, or fulfil
Usage
What are other ways to say implement? The word implement broadly refers to any article used in some activity. When should you use this noun over tool, instrument, or utensil? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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implementationnoun
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implementernoun
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implementornoun
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nonimplementnoun
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reimplementverb (used with object)
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implementableadjective
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implementaladjective
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nonimplementaladjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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implementsimple
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implementssimple
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have implementedperfect
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has implementedperfect
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am implementingprogressive
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are implementingprogressive
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is implementingprogressive
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have been implementingperfect progressive
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has been implementingperfect progressive
Past
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implementedsimple
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had implementedperfect
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was implementingprogressive
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were implementingprogressive
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had been implementingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of implement
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Late Latin implēmentum “a filling up,” equivalent to Latin implē(re) “to fill up” ( im- im- 1 + plēre “to fill” ) + -mentum -ment
Explanation
Apply the noun implement when you want to use a fancy word for "tool." A knife and fork are implements for handling food. The noun implement is a very useful word for just about anything you want to describe as a tool or a thing that helps you do something. An implement can be as simple as chimpanzees using a stick to eat ants with or a bulldozer that moves huge amounts of earth in building. The word relates to something that "fills up" a house, as in all sorts of things that allow a house to work properly.
Vocabulary lists containing implement
Essential English Vocabulary, List 1
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"A Retrieved Reformation" by O. Henry
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30 GRE Words Beginning with "I"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
An online petition with over a million signatures has asked Globo to implement a live fact-checking system for claims made by both candidates during the debate.
From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2026
The broadband company and its creditors are working toward a restructuring agreement and expect a bankruptcy filing to implement an eventual restructuring for its around $26 billion debt load, the people said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
It’s never too soon to start thinking about this, and 58 is definitely not on the early side for starting to implement a plan.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 22, 2026
You know, you have a plan, you make a plan, you implement it, you commit to it, see it through, and then it's over and it's done.
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026
He remained in the army, helping to implement Reconstruction policies that guaranteed the black vote.
From "Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever" by Bill O'Reilly
Diesel fuelis used in trucks, farm implements and construction equipment, and its costs can be passed down to consumers through higher prices for groceries and other products.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026
Legendary US designer Ralph Lauren on Wednesday kicked off New York Fashion Week with his namesake brand's Spring/Summer 2027 collection, as the industry showcase implements its first full ban on fur on the runway.
From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026
Early humans often used bone implements to sharpen the cutting edges of handaxes and tools used for butchering animals.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 27, 2026
The project is one of the major street redesigns moving forward as Los Angeles implements Measure HLA.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026
I poked around the foundations, hoping to uncover some old iron implements that I could use.
From "My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George
Scrutiny has only increased since the changes were implemented in time for the 2024-25 season.
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026
The "severe drought" classification was introduced following the 2012 drought and this is the first time it has been implemented.
From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026
The U.K. government has implemented a series of reforms to make London a more competitive place to list.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
The bodega and ration book system was implemented by late revolutionary leader Fidel Castro in 1963, after the United States placed the island under embargo.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
He zealously implemented the reforms requested by Stone that furthered his own desire to remake the bureau into a modern force.
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
According to some cyber-security researchers using scans to check servers at risk of the PHP vulnerability, the rate of organisations implementing patches - but not as quickly as might be hoped globally.
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026
On Wednesday, prosecutors from eight US states also sued ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, a rival AI lab that could go public next year, for allegedly concealing certain risks and implementing inadequate safeguards.
From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026
Southern California Edison was considering implementing public safety power shutoffs for nearly 90,000 customers in L.A.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026
Norway’s minister of digitalization said implementing the ban could be complicated due to European regulations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
Which meant Naheed could start implementing her making-amends plan right away.
From "Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story" by Nora Raleigh Baskin
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