Main Entry: ex·e·cute

Pronunciation: \ˈek-si-ˌkyüt\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): ex·e·cut·ed; ex·e·cut·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French executer, from execucion execution

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 : to carry out fully : put completely into effect <execute a command>
2 : to do what is provided or required by <execute a decree>
3 : to put to death especially in compliance with a legal sentence
4 : to make or produce (as a work of art) especially by carrying out a design
5 : to perform what is required to give validity to <execute a deed>
6 : play <execute a piece of music>intransitive verb 1 : to perform properly or skillfully the fundamentals of a sport or of a particular play <never had a team execute better — Bobby Knight>
2 : to perform indicated tasks according to encoded instructions —used of a computer program or routine

synonyms see kill, perform

— ex·e·cut·able \-ˌkyü-tə-bəl\ adjective