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

Further, the claim that the executor has withheld or ‘cut’ payments is a complete fabrication. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 8 Nov. 2026

Michael’s former entertainment attorney John Branca (who was rehired eight days before Michael’s death) and the music executive John McClain were named co-executors of the estate, per a 2002 will. — Claudia Rosenbaum, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026

Attorneys for the estate’s executors did not immediately respond on Tuesday to The Times’ request for comment. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

That, so far, has not happened, 28-year-old Jackson said, adding that the siblings instead, have been receiving smaller amounts of money determined by the estate’s remaining executor, John Branca. — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 3 Nov. 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