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

Stewart, the complaint alleges, had begun soliciting donations to the Gladiator’s Hub from Thomas’ friends and family and approached the executor of his estate to request additional donations. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2026

Why Bruno Mars is a musical unicorn To wax rhapsodic about Mars as an executor of charm is commonplace. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026

Recently, Paris, 28, has been absent from events promoting Michael — produced by co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate, John Branca and John McClain — due to her desire to distance herself from the project. —Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026

Two days before his death, Epstein made Indyke a co-executor of his estate, along with Kahn, the accountant. —Ava Berger, NPR, 8 Apr. 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