executor

noun

ex·​ec·​u·​tor ig-ˈze-k(y)ə-tər How to pronounce executor (audio)
or in sense 1
ˈek-sə-ˌkyü- How to pronounce executor (audio)
1
a
: one who executes something
b
obsolete : executioner
2
a
: the person appointed by a testator to execute a will
executorial adjective

Examples of executor in a Sentence

He named his daughter as his executor.
Recent Examples on the Web But as soon as Stalin fell ill, there were less sinful ones who arrested his most brutal executors. Anna Nemtsova, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2024 Patty Flynn, her executor, said that Ms. Mathers and her husband, Michael Mathers, a photographer, who was 79, took their own lives. Penelope Green, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024 While suffering from tuberculosis, Franz Kafka famously asked for his works to be burned, but his executor betrayed the request. EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 Keep all your beneficiary forms on file so your executor knows who is supposed to get your assets. Carolyn McClanahan, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 As the executor of Laci’s estate, Rocha files two separate lawsuits, a wrongful death action and a survival action. Cnn Editorial Research, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024 The executor or administrator of the estate is in charge of administering the will and the process of dispersing possessions. Amy Dickinson, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2024 Allowing Executive agencies to create the very crimes they are tasked with enforcing effectively turns them into the expositor, executor, and interpreter of criminal laws. . . . Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 1 Feb. 2024 The executors of Kahn's estate were surprised to be chosen. Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'executor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of executor was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near executor

Cite this Entry

“Executor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/executor. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

executor

noun
ex·​ec·​u·​tor ig-ˈzek-(y)ət-ər How to pronounce executor (audio)
in sense 1 also
ˈek-sə-ˌkyüt- How to pronounce executor (audio)
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 How to pronounce executor (audio)
: a person named by a testator to execute or carry out the instructions in a will compare administrator
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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