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

Mistakes can follow the executor, the surviving spouse, or the beneficiaries long after the funeral. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026

No law firm, executor or court is named Legitimate inheritance notices always include verifiable legal contacts. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026

The digital replication right does not expire at a person’s death, and can be transferred and licensed by heirs, executors and others. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 20 May 2026

But a messy dispute between Jackson’s daughter, Paris, and his estate’s executors, entertainment lawyer John Branca and music executive John McClain, has taken some of the fizz out of the celebration. —Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 15 May 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