implement

American  

[im-pluh-muhnt, im-pluh-ment, -muhnt] / ˈɪm plə mənt, ˈɪm pləˌmɛnt, -mənt /

noun

• implements
  plural

1. any article used in some activity, especially an instrument, tool, or utensil.

   agricultural implements.

2. an article of equipment, as household furniture, clothing, ecclesiastical vestments, or the like.

3. a means; agent.

   human beings as an implement of divine plan.

---

verb (used with object)

• implements,
  present (3rd person singular)
• implemented,
  past participle,  past
• implementing
  present participle

1. to fulfill; perform; carry out.

   Once in office, he failed to implement his campaign promises.

2. to put into effect according to or by means of a definite plan or procedure.

3. Computers. to realize or instantiate (an element in a program), often under certain conditions as specified by the software involved.

4. to fill out or supplement.

5. to provide with implements.

implement British  

noun

1. a piece of equipment; tool or utensil

   gardening implements

2. something used to achieve a purpose; agent

---

verb

1. to carry out; put into action; perform

   to implement a plan

2. 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

• implementation
  noun
• implementer
  noun
• implementor
  noun
• nonimplement
  noun
• reimplement
  verb (used with object)
• implementable
  adjective
• implemental
  adjective
• nonimplemental
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• implements
  plural

Participles

• implementing
  present
• implemented
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• implement
  simple
• implements
  simple
• have implemented
  perfect
• has implemented
  perfect
• am implementing
  progressive
• are implementing
  progressive
• is implementing
  progressive
• have been implementing
  perfect progressive
• has been implementing
  perfect progressive

Past

• implemented
  simple
• had implemented
  perfect
• was implementing
  progressive
• were implementing
  progressive
• had been implementing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will implement
  simple
• will have implemented
  perfect
• will be implementing
  progressive
• will have been implementing
  perfect progressive

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

implement implements implemented implementing

"Mistakes are going to happen. They're not being equipped to implement the AI properly."

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

Los Angeles could become one of the first major election jurisdictions to implement guidance or policy related to prediction markets.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

Szoboszlai's physicality allows him to cover the ground needed to make Liverpool's press feel numerically equal, while his judgement of when to step forward has helped the Reds start to implement Iraola's defensive ideas quickly.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

McDonald’s is bringing in a new U.S. president to conduct a turnaround and implement a new strategy focused on improving food and service.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

This does not mean you should implement every last suggestion they offer.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

The coach implements tactics based on the positions of players in the hope of giving their team an advantage.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

With this tool, early humans could create and maintain stone implements that were more carefully shaped and complex than those produced by some other prehistoric populations living during the same period.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 27, 2026

The NAP should be reviewed every four years to ensure the measures it implements are relevant to the current situation.

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026

This last type of scenario has been a moneymaker for companies such as Frontier.io, which implements augmented-reality software using existing hardware.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026

We’re in some sort of large shed; sunlight seeps through the cracks between the warped wooden boards, and there’s a jungle of gardening implements leaning against the walls.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir

Meta argues it implemented measures to protect young users from predators, such as restricting direct messages from adults.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

Commission President Rasha Gerges Shields said the department could have examined whether reforms that were called for in 2020 had been implemented — and areas where the department still needed to improve.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

The city has implemented a car-free day to allow the search to go ahead, with citizens urged to comply.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

A peace agreement signed in November 2022 put an end to the fighting, but several key points, such as the return of displaced people or the disarmament of the TPLF, have never been implemented.

From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026

It was clearly implemented to prevent Byzantine grabs at power; but where power is concerned there are always those who find ways to grasp for it.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

Furthermore, federal courts have typically given the president broad discretion in implementing the statute.

From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026

"It leads to a situation where even if there were real time savings, it would be sucked up by the changes, and implementing them, and making sure they worked," Thompson said.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

The company is also implementing universal monitoring and tighter testing environments for Astra.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

Age verification for social media users is becoming increasingly popular by regulators around the world, though implementing such policies has proven complex and difficult.

From Barron's ● Aug. 7, 2026

This is perfect for implementing one of the essential elements of West African dance and music, where people take turns “showing their stuff” in a playfully confrontational way.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Related Words

• achieve
• carry out
• complete
• enforce
• realize
• resolve