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
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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
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Though unconscious when the killing began, Graziani took control of the subsequent reprisal executions, aimed in particular at eliminating the Ethiopian nobility and intelligentsia.
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On the other, it’s tyranny, arbitrary executions, and mass murder.
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Sponsor is not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing or advertising of the offer, administration or execution of the Sweepstakes or in the announcements of the prizes/prize winner.
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That purpose was for Varys to pay Jaqen to replace Ned Stark at his execution with an imposter.
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That took a lot of time and patience and execution.
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A portion of the proceeds go back to the Bel Air Independence Day Committee to help in the planning and execution of the next year's 4th of July celebration, Bel Air High Athletic Director Anthony Blackburn notes in an email.
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Niceta Lloyd had a hand in the planning the last five presidential inaugurations, and in her work at luxury event planning company Design Cuisine, she was involved in the execution of a number of State Department events.
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He was arrested following execution of the warrant and charged with one count of possession of child pornography.
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
Other Legal Terms
EXECUTION Defined for English Language Learners
execution
playDefinition of execution for English Language Learners
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: the act of killing someone especially as punishment for a crime
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: the act of doing or performing something
EXECUTION Defined for Kids
execution
playDefinition 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
playLegal 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
Learn More about execution
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See words that rhyme with execution Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for execution Spanish Central: Translation of execution Nglish: Translation of execution for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of execution for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about execution
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