execute

verb

ex·e·cute | \ˈek-si-ˌkyüt

executed; executing

Definition of execute

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 (something, such 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

Other Words from execute Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about execute

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Choose the Right Synonym for execute

kill, slay, murder, assassinate, dispatch, execute mean to deprive of life. kill merely states the fact of death caused by an agency in any manner. killed in an accident frost killed the plants slay is a chiefly literary term implying deliberateness and violence but not necessarily motive. slew thousands of the Philistines murder specifically implies stealth and motive and premeditation and therefore full moral responsibility. convicted of murdering a rival assassinate applies to deliberate killing openly or secretly often for political motives. terrorists assassinated the Senator dispatch stresses quickness and directness in putting to death. dispatched the sentry with one bullet execute stresses putting to death as a legal penalty. executed by lethal gas

perform, execute, discharge, accomplish, achieve, effect, fulfill mean to carry out or into effect. perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill. performed gymnastics execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent. executed the hit-and-run discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks. discharged his duties accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out. accomplished everything they set out to do achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties. achieve greatness effect adds to achieve an emphasis on the inherent force in the agent capable of surmounting obstacles. effected sweeping reforms fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities. fulfilled their ambitions

Examples of execute in a Sentence

He was captured, tried, and executed for murder. They carefully executed the plan. The pilot executed an emergency landing. The quarterback executed the play perfectly. execute the provisions of the will

Recent Examples on the Web

Elizabeth imprisoned her cousin and, eventually, had her executed after uncovering an assassination plot that Mary (probably) knew about. — refinery29.com, "Margot Robbie & Saoirse Ronan's Orange Wigs Alone Are Oscar-Worthy In Mary Queen Of Scots Trailer," 12 July 2018 In the Pacers' final regular-season game, Stephenson executed an impressive blocked shot of the Hornets' Dwight Howard from behind. — Dave Clark, Cincinnati.com, "Report: LeBron convinced Stephenson to turn down better offer from Pacers to join Lakers," 9 July 2018 Nothing is more satisfying than putting together a plan and executing on it perfectly, except perhaps putting together a plan and watching it self-destruct. — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "Hands-on: Hitman 2's murderous puzzle sandbox lets you wield fish as a weapon," 14 June 2018 Gallo executed, as had Shin-Soo Choo in the third inning against a less-severe shift. — Jeff Wilson, star-telegram, "Gallo bunts to beat Astros' shift. Or did they beat him?," 8 June 2018 Police executed a a search warrant on Walker and found five pounds of marijuana, four grams of cocaine a large amount of cash and a cash counter. — Ron Higgins, NOLA.com, "Georgia, Kentucky and Mississippi State take over the lead in the 2018 Golden Handcuffs," 28 May 2018 No matter how well executed, commercial success for such a film was never guaranteed. — Stephen Metcalf, The New Yorker, "How Superheroes Made Movie Stars Expendable," 19 May 2018 The embarrassment for Berlin and NATO is that Germany is happy to help Vladimir Putin execute this plan. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Trump and the Russia Pipeline," 11 July 2018 Now HeartBound Ministries is executing their plan to use the $50,000 grant to expand the Little Readers program. — Lauren Ready And Danielle Barker, USA TODAY, "Little Readers wins grant to connect more incarcerated parents to their kids," 9 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'execute.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

18 Oct 2018

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The first known use of execute was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for execute

execute

verb

English Language Learners Definition of execute

: to kill (someone) especially as punishment for a crime

: to do (something that you have planned to do or been told to do)

: to do or perform (an action or movement that requires skill)

See the full definition for execute in the English Language Learners Dictionary

execute

verb

ex·e·cute | \ˈek-sə-ˌkyüt

executed; executing

Kids Definition of execute

1 : to kill according to a legal order

2 : to put into effect : perform or carry out execute a plan

3 : to make according to a design The painting was executed in bright colors.

execute

transitive verb

ex·e·cute | \ˈek-si-ˌkyüt

executed; executing

Legal Definition of execute

1 : perform: as

a : to carry out fully includes not only executed violence, but also threatened violence — Louisiana Civil Code

b : to do what is provided or required by execute a contract execute a search warrant

c : to deem (a use in property) to confer full seisin in a cestui que use by operation of the Statute of Uses

2 : to perform what is required to give validity to especially : to complete (as by signing and delivering) in proper form execute a note execute a deed