execution

noun

ex·e·cu·tion | \ ˌek-si-ˈkyü-shən

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 on the Web

Miller, 47, could face execution if convicted in the killings of 36-year-old Sgt. — Monivette Cordeiro, orlandosentinel.com, "Everett Miller trial: Jurors to deliberate fate of accused cop killer," 11 Sep. 2019 No family members of Magouirk and Syren witnessed the execution. — Fox News, "Texas inmate executed for killing mother, 89, daughter, 71, in 2003," 6 Sep. 2019 Court challenges have halted executions in the state since 2006. — Joe Garofoli, SFChronicle.com, "Trump’s death-penalty push puts House Dems like Josh Harder in tough spot," 13 Aug. 2019 In 1994, Arkansas carried out the nation’s first triple execution in 32 years. — BostonGlobe.com, "This day in history," 3 Aug. 2019 Lundell said Brown should send a message to about the recent decision to resume federal executions. — oregonlive.com, "Calling Oregon death penalty ‘costly and immoral,’ governor signs bill limiting its use," 1 Aug. 2019 The nation’s highest court won’t review the case of a man currently awaiting execution on Alabama’s Death Row. — Ivana Hrynkiw | Ihrynkiw@al.com, al.com, "Death row inmate convicted of stabbing aunt, cousins won’t have U.S. Supreme Court review," 4 June 2019 To refresh your memory, Ser Ilyn Payne was the knight responsible for carrying out the executions in King's Landing. — Ineye Komonibo, Marie Claire, "Arya Stark's Kill List May Never Be Complete," 14 May 2019 Miller, 47, could face execution if convicted of the slayings of 36-year-old Sgt. — Monivette Cordeiro, orlandosentinel.com, "Everett Miller trial: Marine veteran was in ‘downward spiral’ before fatal shooting of 2 Kissimmee cops," 30 Aug. 2019

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.

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Last Updated

21 Sep 2019

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Time Traveler for execution

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

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More Definitions for execution

execution

noun

English Language Learners Definition of execution

: the act of killing someone especially as punishment for a crime

: the act of doing or performing something

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

execution

noun

ex·e·cu·tion | \ ˌek-sə-ˈkyü-shən

Kids Definition of execution

1 : the act of killing someone as a legal penalty

2 : the act of doing or performing something execution of a plan

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