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

His sister Jody Allen, the executor of his will and trust, has run the teams in his absence. — Scott Soshnick, Variety, 12 July 2026

His sister Jody Allen, the executor of his will and trust, has run the teams in his absence. — Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 11 July 2026

Chief Justice John Roberts has now served as the executor of Humphrey’s Executor. — Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 5 July 2026

The old model had strategists on top, executors in the middle and juniors at the bottom. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 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