implement

[ noun im-pluh-muhnt; verb im-pluh-ment, -muhnt ]

/ noun ˈɪm plə mənt; verb ˈɪm pləˌmɛnt, -mənt /

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See synonyms for: implement / implemented / implementing / implements on Thesaurus.com

noun

any article used in some activity, especially an instrument, tool, or utensil: agricultural implements.

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

a means; agent: human beings as an implement of divine plan.

verb (used with object)

to fulfill; perform; carry out: Once in office, he failed to implement his campaign promises.

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

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

to fill out or supplement.

to provide with implements.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM implement

im·ple·ment·a·ble, adjectiveim·ple·men·tal, adjectiveim·ple·men·ta·tion

[im-pluh-muhn-tey-shuhn, ‐men‐] /ˌɪm plə mənˈteɪ ʃən, ‐mɛn‐/ nounim·ple·ment·er, im·ple·men·tor, noun

non·im·ple·ment, nounnon·im·ple·men·tal, adjectivere·im·ple·ment, verb (used with object)

Words nearby implement

implantation, implantology, implausible, implead, impleader, implement, implementation, implemented, implementing, implicate, implicated

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

WHEN TO USE

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.

How to use implement in a sentence

You’ll never ever use these implements for anything else, but they take up so little room that it’s worth it to buy a few if you’re a grapefruit lover.
Nine kitchen gifts that do one thing really well|Sara Chodosh|November 26, 2020|Popular-Science
Middle Stone Age tools were smaller and more carefully crafted implements.
How environmental changes may have helped make ancient humans more adaptable|Bruce Bower|October 21, 2020|Science News
Although it’s still unclear where in Africa — as well as when and by whom — Middle Stone Age tools were invented, early humans would have found such implements invaluable for adapting to environmental disruptions, Stringer says.
How environmental changes may have helped make ancient humans more adaptable|Bruce Bower|October 21, 2020|Science News
I’d lost the implement I’d needed to claw myself out of my cage, and I hadn’t had what he’d needed from me when he’d needed it.
Fiction: Quiet earth philosophy|Katie McLean|October 21, 2020|MIT Technology Review

Existence felt like a cage, and gaming was an implement that clawed us out.
Fiction: Quiet earth philosophy|Katie McLean|October 21, 2020|MIT Technology Review
St. Laurent, however, pointed out why this step might be especially difficult to implement.
How the U.S. Justice System Screws Prisoners with Disabilities|Elizabeth Picciuto|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For its part, the Pentagon said that it is no surprise that it is taking some time to implement the mission.
U.S. Hasn’t Even Started Training Rebel Army to Fight ISIS|Tim Mak|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Adding a checkbox to a driver's license and another form would make this easy to implement.
A Navy Vet’s Case for Gun Control|Shawn VanDiver|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Republicans have a rare opportunity to implement policies that are truly compassionate and transcend toxic identity politics.
How a GOP Senate Can Help the Poor|Veronique de Rugy|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The White House just launched a major initiative to implement a more modern, sensible drug policy.
Why Isn’t Prison Justice on the Ballot This Tuesday?|Inimai Chettiar, Abigail Finkelman|November 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He stood up, crowbar in hand, and inserted the chisel blade of the implement between the edge of the door and the doorcase.
Dope|Sax Rohmer
I looked among the dead, to see if I could find any iron implement with which to excavate the wall, or to break the chains.
Rule of the Monk|Giuseppe Garibaldi
Soon the captain drove his implement through the hay, and against something that gave back a resistance like that of soft pine.
Uncle Sam's Boys as Lieutenants|H. Irving Hancock
As the implement fell upon the stones of the courtyard, Thyra's quick ear noticed the peculiar sound.
Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among The Turks|Bracebridge Hemyng
In his hand the measuring-rod was a far mightier implement than the pen.
Ten Books on Architecture|Vitruvius

British Dictionary definitions for implement

implement

noun (ˈɪmplɪmənt)

a piece of equipment; tool or utensilgardening implements

something used to achieve a purpose; agent

verb (ˈɪmplɪˌmɛnt) (tr)

to carry out; put into action; performto implement a plan

archaic to complete, satisfy, or fulfil

Derived forms of implement

implemental, adjectiveimplementation, nounimplementer or implementor, noun

Word Origin for implement

C17: from Late Latin implēmentum, literally: a filling up, from Latin implēre to fill up, satisfy, fulfil

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

implement

Origin of implement

OTHER WORDS FROM implement

Words nearby implement

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say implement?

Words related to implement

How to use implement in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for implement

Derived forms of implement

Word Origin for implement