executor

noun

ex·​ec·​u·​tor ig-ˈze-k(y)ə-tər How to pronounce executor (audio)
or in sense 1
ˈek-sə-ˌkyü- How to pronounce executor (audio)
1
a
: one who executes something
b
obsolete : executioner
2
a
: the person appointed by a testator to execute a will
executorial adjective

Examples of executor in a Sentence

He named his daughter as his executor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Being an executor of an estate is a huge task, and the role only gets more complicated as the estate size increases. Steve Hruby, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 Getting precise information on assets may be helpful to fulfilling your obligations as a personal administrator (executor) or successor trustee under the deceased spouse’s revocable trust. Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025 Landy became Wilson’s manager, formed a business interest with the musician to share in any profits from recordings, films and books and tried to become executor of Wilson’s estate. Steve Marble, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025 His sister Jody is the executor of his estate and has been serving as owner of the NBA and NFL teams. Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for executor

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of executor was in the 13th century

Cite this Entry

“Executor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/executor. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

executor

noun
ex·​ec·​u·​tor ig-ˈzek-(y)ət-ər How to pronounce executor (audio)
in sense 1 also
ˈek-sə-ˌkyüt- How to pronounce executor (audio)
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 How to pronounce executor (audio)
: a person named by a testator to execute or carry out the instructions in a will compare administrator
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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