execution

noun ex·e·cu·tion \ ˌek-si-ˈkyü-shən \

|Updated on: 13 Jul 2018

Examples: execution in a Sentence

Definition of execution

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

See execution defined for English-language learners

See execution defined for kids

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 of execution from the Web

Death Penalty The Supreme Court is also sure to hear cases in future terms from death row inmates seeking stays of execution.

— hannah fingerhut, The Christian Science Monitor, "Poll: Americans have relatively high confidence in Supreme Court," 10 July 2018
The one moment when execution, skill, spontaneity and a whole lot of magic can mix together to create a legend.

— paul dehner jr., Cincinnati.com, "The No. 3 Cincinnati Bengals play of the last 30 years: Peter Warrick's return upends KC," 5 July 2018
But the execution of those plays and the reason why Clark needed to send Iglesias — and the starting lineups, too — showed a stark contrast between the two teams.

— anthony fenech, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers are where Chicago Cubs were five years ago," 4 July 2018
Cooper came within eight hours of execution in 2004, when the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay and ordered DNA testing of a bloody T-shirt found near the victims’ home.

— bob egelko, SFChronicle.com, "Gov. Jerry Brown hints at new DNA testing in Kevin Cooper murder case," 3 July 2018
On Wednesday, the US chairs sat empty as discussion turned to summary executions, freedom of expression, the rights of migrants, and violence against women.

— jamey keaten, BostonGlobe.com, "Allies unhappy with US walkout from UN body," 21 June 2018
On Wednesday, the U.S. chairs sat empty as discussion turned to summary executions, freedom of expression, the rights of migrants and violence against women among other things.

— jamey keaten, chicagotribune.com, "Allies disappointed by 'big bang' of U.S. walkout from U.N. Human Rights Council," 20 June 2018
Texas Tech scored in five of the first seven innings and coupled the home run with solid situational execution – three runs on outs.

— randy rosetta, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville baseball eliminated from NCAAs with loss to Texas Tech," 3 June 2018
Code execution, or the ability to run a program on someone else’s computer, is often the most powerful attack, potentially letting someone else silently and invisibly take over your computer.

— quinn norton, The Atlantic, "Email Is Dangerous," 21 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of execution

Middle English execucion, from Anglo-French, from Latin exsecution-, exsecutio, from exsequi to execute, from ex- + sequi to follow — more at sue

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

execution Synonyms

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

EXECUTION Defined for English Language Learners

execution

noun

Definition of execution for English Language Learners

: the act of killing someone especially as punishment for a crime
: the act of doing or performing something

EXECUTION Defined for Kids

execution

noun ex·e·cu·tion \ ˌek-sə-ˈkyü-shən \

Definition of execution for Students

1 : the act of killing someone as a legal penalty

2 : the act of doing or performing something

execution of a plan

Law Dictionary

execution

noun ex·e·cu·tion \ ˌek-si-ˈkyü-shən \

legal Definition of execution

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