execution

noun

ex·​e·​cu·​tion ˌek-si-ˈkyü-shən 

1

: the act or process of executing : performance

put the plan into execution

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

The quarterback's execution of the play was flawless.

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 of execution

• implementation
• fulfillment
• perpetration
• performance
• accomplishment

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

Jim was disappointed with the execution problem that caused Dover to miss on its refrigeration production volume target. — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 24 July 2026

There is room for improvement, with his pass execution or choice of ball requiring refinement. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 24 July 2026

The broader agreement could see Juniper procure 500 MWh or more of ESS energy storage systems by 2032, subject to the successful development and execution of future projects. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026

Gartner is validating the thesis this week too, naming Innovaccer a leader in its first ever healthcare technology Magic Quadrant, ranked above Microsoft, Google, AWS, and Salesforce on vision and execution. — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 23 July 2026

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

Rhymes for execution

• absolution
• allocution
• attribution
• comminution
• constitution
• contribution
• convolution
• destitution
• devolution
• diminution
• dissolution
• distribution

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