execution

noun

ex·​e·​cu·​tion ˌek-si-ˈkyü-shən 

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

—William Shakespeare

—usually used with do

as soon as day came, we went out to see what execution we had done

—Daniel Defoe

Synonyms

• accomplishment
• achievement
• commission
• discharge
• enactment
• fulfillment
• fulfilment
• implementation
• performance
• perpetration
• prosecution
• pursuance

Examples of execution in a Sentence

He is in prison awaiting execution.

The quarterback's execution of the play was perfect.

skillful execution of the dance steps

Recent Examples on the Web

Keith Edmund Gavin, 64, will be put to death by lethal injection, which is the state's primary execution method. —CBS News, 26 Apr. 2024

Cattelan compared the assemblage, mounted together on a single wall, to the execution wall of a firing squad. —Laura Rysman, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024

The Wells Fargo senior business execution administrator recently passed out flyers at a call center in Wake County. —Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2024

At Penn, LaBerge will be tasked with leading technology and execution for the company’s digital efforts, including the nascent ESPN Bet platform. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Apr. 2024

The state hasn’t executed anyone in nearly 20 years, and Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a moratorium on all executions in 2019. —Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2024

Prior to her planned execution, five jurors came forward asking to halt Lucio's execution or give her a new trial. —Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024

Most executions were conducted with sodium thiopental as the anesthetic. —Chiara Eisner, NPR, 18 Apr. 2024

Great strategy can break down with poor execution, so executives are being pushed to prototype solutions. —Sarah Davanzo, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing execution

• stay of execution

Kids Definition

execution

noun

ex·​e·​cu·​tion ˌek-sə-ˈkyü-shən 

1

: the act or process of executing : a carrying through of something to its finish

put a plan into execution

2

: a putting to death as a legal penalty

3

: the way in which something is executed

Legal Definition

execution

noun

ex·​e·​cu·​tion ˌek-si-ˈkyü-shən 

1

: the act or process of executing

witnessed the execution of the will

2

: a putting to death as fulfillment of a judicial death sentence

3

: the process of enforcing a judgment (as against a debtor)

also : a judicial writ (as fieri facias) by which an officer is empowered to carry a judgment into effect see also levy