execution

noun

ex·​e·​cu·​tion ˌek-si-ˈkyü-shən How to pronounce execution (audio)
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 executionWilliam Shakespeare
usually used with do
as soon as day came, we went out to see what execution we had doneDaniel Defoe

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
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.
Death by a firing squad is an option in Idaho, although the state hasn’t carried out an execution since 2012. Jorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, 17 May 2025 The execution took place at Florida State Prison near Starke. Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 16 May 2025 Communicate With Precision And Transparency The success of any decision hinges on execution—and execution depends on clear communication. Jason Richmond, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025 Though the policy was clearly intended to send a harsh message, its execution sometimes belied that goal. Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for execution

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of execution was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Execution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/execution. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

execution

noun
ex·​e·​cu·​tion ˌek-sə-ˈkyü-shən How to pronounce execution (audio)
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 How to pronounce execution (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on execution

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