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 underwater location allows us to implement systematic, large-scale surveys," Seama explains.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 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
In August, a judge ordered Meta to implement product changes and pay an additional $567 million to the state to fund the treatment and prevention of harms caused by Facebook and Instagram.
From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026
Economists at home and abroad have urged Beijing to implement policies to boost consumption and reduce reliance on exports.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
“Build a shorter implement shed over the old brickyard, and leave Effie Wilcox’s house be.”
From "A Long Way from Chicago" by Richard Peck
The logistics company says it expects roughly $25 million in incremental driver-related costs this quarter, as it ramps up hiring, implements sign-on bonuses and institutes pay raises.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 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
The coach implements tactics based on the positions of players in the hope of giving their team an advantage.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 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 room smelled of metal shavings mixed with whatever grease was used in the lathes and other implements that I never learned to use.
From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove
A new system, currently under testing, is being implemented to protect patient records in future and alert the trust of potential breaches.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
“We have implemented additional safeguards, including enhanced monitoring, strengthened access controls and further third-party review of our security practices,” Betaneli added.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026
In the end, he implemented new rules restricting where carriages can pick up tourists.
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026
Yet in recent years, Massachusetts has implemented policies to become carbon neutral by 2050.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 11, 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
"I remain committed to implementing this year's pay award but unfortunately, I am currently unable to do so in the absence of a sufficient budget being agreed for my department," he said.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
Hayes’s fund is implementing AI and it’s increasing productivity, but he is running open-weight models internally.
From MarketWatch ● 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
He has been instrumental in implementing her strategy of "de-demonisation" to try and rid the party of the toxic legacy of its founder, her father Jean-Marie Le Pen, who was openly antisemitic.
From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026
This was her idea they were talking about implementing.
From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon
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