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

The new lawsuit is filed by widower Bruce Sudano, who’s served as executor of his late wife’s estate since the singer died in 2012. —Evan Rosen, New York Daily News, 14 June 2024

Yes, as the executor of the estate, you’re bound to carry out your parents’ wishes as expressed in their estate planning documents. —Liz Weston, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2024

Even Miller, the executor of the trust, understood the value of the paintings. —Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2024

The executors of Michael Jackson’s trust told the King of Pop’s kids and mom to beat it, for now, at least. —Zoe Guy, Vulture, 31 May 2024

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