executor

noun

ex·​ec·​u·​tor ig-ˈze-k(y)ə-tər 

or in sense 1

ˈek-sə-ˌkyü- 

1

a

: one who executes something

b

obsolete : executioner

2

a

: the person appointed by a testator to execute a will

b

: literary executor

executorial

ig-ˌze-k(y)ə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

Examples of executor in a Sentence

He named his daughter as his executor.

Recent Examples on the Web

Two days before his death, Epstein made Indyke a co-executor of his estate, along with Kahn, the accountant. —Ava Berger, NPR, 8 Apr. 2026

King will produce along with John Branca and John McClain, who are the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate. —Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 5 Apr. 2026

Among the sparkling gowns and bouffant wigs are a still-growing selection from Heklina’s own collection, donated in the past year by the performer’s close friend and executor Nancy French. —Tony Bravo, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026

Trump is expected to move quickly to name a replacement and has previously discussed elevating Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, a close ally who has earned a reputation inside the administration as a reliable executor of the president’s agenda. —Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 2 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin exsecutor, from exsequi

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing executor

• co-executor
• literary executor

Kids Definition

executor

noun

ex·​ec·​u·​tor ig-ˈzek-(y)ət-ər 

in sense 1 also

ˈek-sə-ˌkyüt- 

1

: a person who executes something

2

: the person named in a will to carry it out

Legal Definition

executor

noun

ex·​ec·​u·​tor ig-ˈze-kyə-tər 

: a person named by a testator to execute or carry out the instructions in a will compare administrator