executor

noun

ex·​ec·​u·​tor ig-ˈze-k(y)ə-tər 

or in sense 1

ˈek-sə-ˌkyü- 

1

a

: one who executes something

b

obsolete : executioner

2

a

: the person appointed by a testator to execute a will

b

: literary executor

executorial

ig-ˌze-k(y)ə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

Examples of executor in a Sentence

He named his daughter as his executor.

Recent Examples on the Web

No charges have been filed against the co-executors, Epstein's longtime lawyer Darren Indyke and accountant Richard Kahn. — Dan Mangan,jim Forkin, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026

While executors have time to complete estate administration, 10 years stretches beyond reasonable expectations. — Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026

While executors have time to complete estate administration,10 years stretches beyond reasonable expectations. — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Agents are granted access to databases, communication platforms and code executors. — Neeraj Sabharwal, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin exsecutor, from exsequi

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing executor

• co-executor
• literary executor

Kids Definition

executor

noun

ex·​ec·​u·​tor ig-ˈzek-(y)ət-ər 

in sense 1 also

ˈek-sə-ˌkyüt- 

1

: a person who executes something

2

: the person named in a will to carry it out

Legal Definition

executor

noun

ex·​ec·​u·​tor ig-ˈze-kyə-tər 

: a person named by a testator to execute or carry out the instructions in a will compare administrator