execution

ex·e·cu·tion

noun \ˌek-si-ˈkyü-shən\

Definition of EXECUTION

1

: the act or process of executing : performance

2

: a putting to death especially as a legal penalty

3

: the process of enforcing a legal judgment (as against a debtor); also : a judicial writ directing such enforcement

4

: the act or mode or result of performance

5

archaic : effective or destructive action <his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution — Shakespeare> —usually used with do <as soon as day came, we went out to see what execution we had done — Daniel Defoe>

Examples of EXECUTION

1. He is in prison awaiting execution.
2. The quarterback's execution of the play was perfect.
3. skillful execution of the dance steps

Origin of EXECUTION

Middle English execucion, from Anglo-French, from Latin exsecution-, exsecutio, from exsequi to execute, from ex- + sequi to follow — more at sue

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to EXECUTION

Synonyms: accomplishment, achievement, discharge, enactment, commission, fulfillment (or fulfilment), implementation, performance, perpetration, prosecution, pursuance

Antonyms: nonfulfillment, nonperformance

Related Words: dispatch, expedition; administration, direction, handling, management; application, operation, practice (also practise)

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Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

Rhymes with EXECUTION

absolution, allocution, attribution, comminution, consecution, constitution, contribution, convolution, destitution, dissolution, distribution, elocution, evolution, exsolution, institution, involution, persecution, prosecution, prostitution, resolution, restitution, retribution, revolution, Rosicrucian, substitution