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:
Solicitor Richard Scorer refers to the failure to implement recommendations from public inquiries as "the British disease".
From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026
So, one of the most important aims of our project is to implement a preventive conservation and risk management program that safeguards these monuments for future generations.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 10, 2026
Countries must implement policies that encourage informal-sector workers to register with the tax authorities, facilitate access to financing and create infrastructure needed to accommodate small entrepreneurs.
From Barron's ● Sep. 9, 2026
New York City said it wouldn’t implement its law unless the devices are recommended in medical guidelines.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026
For years I'd wanted to implement a project to change the way we talk about racial history and contextualize contemporary race issues.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
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
Rather than serving as a heavy hammer, it functioned as a softer striking tool used to repair and sharpen stone handaxes and other cutting implements after their edges became worn.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 27, 2026
A number of items listed on the charge sheet including Le Creuset and Joseph Joseph kitchen implements, an Alessi teapot and various Molton Brown toiletries were found inside the vehicle.
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026
According to Achilles, FSG frequently implements the 5-by-8 trim size.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2026
The necessary methods, implements, and facilities appeared rapidly in the Fertile Crescent after 11,000 B.C., having been invented for dealing with the newly available abundance of wild cereals.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
A panel of experts—convened by Von der Leyen—issued a report earlier this year outlining how they believe rules should be implemented, including by staggering how children can use platforms as they grow up.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
Establishing such a process that could be quickly implemented was actually a recommendation from the Woolsey fire review, but it was not carried out, the report found.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2026
This means steep price hikes implemented shortly after an acquisition are counted as organic growth.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
"Our recommendations must be implemented, or we'll be here again."
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 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
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said AI companies should not wait for governments to legislate before implementing their own safety controls.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
One method for implementing these operations is known as Floquet control, which uses periodic control signals to drive a quantum system.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 11, 2026
She outlined the work she’s been doing to run the organization and the plans she is implementing to secure its future.
From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2026
There is, as you have experienced, a gap between the number of personal-finance courses in high schools and the number of people actually implementing those lessons.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 4, 2026
Which meant Naheed could start implementing her making-amends plan right away.
From "Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story" by Nora Raleigh Baskin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
