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

It also said it would further tighten its time limit to one hour if other platforms implement similar restrictions.

From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026

We collaborate closely with various sectors in the food industry, from farmers to food companies, to help implement effective mycotoxin management integrated within food safety standards.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 28, 2026

For example, unless you have specifically hired someone to implement a strategy to protect you from a market downturn, a traditional adviser isn’t necessarily supposed to time the market and get you out before crashes.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026

Regarding the union’s demand to raise the retirement age to 65, both sides agreed to immediately implement any new legislation, if enacted, while maintaining regular wages through age 64.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 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

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

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

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

We were to march with these implements to such and such a place in the ruins, ready to go to work.

From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut

She implemented wry wit like a tactical defense, a trusty tool in her arsenal that could disarm an opponent and defuse tricky conversations.

From Salon ● Aug. 28, 2026

If it detects users who say they are adults but are really between the ages of 13 and 17, these restrictions will be implemented automatically.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026

Ofgem has a proposed debt relief scheme on the table, and campaigners keep telling them to get on with it, urging the government as to provide funding for it to be implemented.

From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026

The lawsuit, brought by 24 state attorneys general and the governor of Pennsylvania, asks for immediate court intervention to halt the Postal Service changes from being implemented while the litigation continues.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

However, widespread local mistrust of the regime in Alexandria prevented the new calendar from being wholly implemented.

From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro

Postal Service from implementing new nationwide rules for mail ballots.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026

The penalties will paid over 10 years, but $5.3bn of it is contingent on YouTube and TikTok also implementing the following measures:

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026

As part of the settlement agreement, Meta will also make sweeping changes to its services, Facebook and Instagram, including implementing a default two-hour time limit on its apps for users under 18.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

A nationwide or universal injunction is just an order requiring the government to stop implementing an unlawful rule against the entire country.

From Slate ● Aug. 25, 2026

The agency, created in the wake of the events of September 11, 2001, is in charge of implementing our country's immigration laws.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi

Related Words

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