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 executor is now going through his book collection, which will be donated to the Palladio Museum in Italy and was arranged according to a unique system of his own invention. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 30 Sep. 2026

Rome, from Mount Aventine was commissioned by Hugh Andrew Johnstone Munro of Novar, one of Turner’s most important patrons and an executor of his will. — News Desk, Artforum, 29 Sep. 2026

No charges have been filed against the co-executors, Epstein's longtime lawyer Darren Indyke and accountant Richard Kahn. — Dan Mangan,jim Forkin, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026

While executors have time to complete estate administration, 10 years stretches beyond reasonable expectations. — Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 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