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:
The automaker backed full-year guidance that was cut last month, but said it must move fast to implement restructuring plans as it continued to face multiple headwinds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
City departments soon will report back to the Council on how they plan to implement this.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026
A: Preparing to get your software updated, be prepared to keep it updated, and be prepared to implement patches when they come out.
From Barron's ● Oct. 25, 2026
Despite the new code of ethics, there is no uniform approach across Scotland's museum sector with different institutions given leeway on how to implement it.
From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026
Instead of affirming an idea, you effect its affirmation; rather than postponing something, you implement a postponement.
From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker
Ofcom says as part of its investigation it will consider how Aylo implements its age verification processes and whether it conducted the "necessary due diligence" before it was implemented.
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 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
Diesel, which fuels trucks, construction equipment and farming implements, tends to have an even greater impact on the economy and inflation when its price rises.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
There were cooking implements, and a large wooden cage, currently empty, in another corner.
From "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman
Separately, the Mamdani administration has implemented a new system to better track encampments and coordinate responses.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026
The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, signed in 2016, eliminates import duties on 98 percent of products but has not been fully implemented.
From Barron's ● Oct. 26, 2026
Later that month, Reuters reported that Kennedy asked Schwartz to remove two measles deaths from the CDC’s dashboard, which she implemented “without objection,” according to three sources familiar with the matter.
From Salon ● Oct. 24, 2026
New Jersey implemented a one-year moratorium on electronic shelf labels this summer “while the New Jersey Innovation Authority studies the effects and impact of that technology.”
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 23, 2026
The music education methods of Orff, Dalcroze, Kodály, etc., offer easily implemented solutions to add layers of cognitively challenging musical activities to something as simple as a song.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
The contributions employers make to their workers’ retirement plans and workplace health insurance aren’t subject to Social Security taxes, though experts have considered what implementing a tax for Social Security would do for the program.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026
Yet he remains frustrated with cadres he deems are not implementing his orders.
From Barron's ● Oct. 26, 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
The Department of Health said implementing the 2026-27 pay award and Real Living Wage would cost about £280m.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
During his second term in office, Comrade E. M. S. went about implementing the Peaceful Transition more soberly.
From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy
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