implement

1 of 2

noun

im·​ple·​ment ˈim-plə-mənt How to pronounce implement (audio)
1
: a device used in the performance of a task : tool, utensil
2
: one that serves as an instrument or tool
the partnership agreement does not seem to be a very potent implementH. B. Hoffman
3
: an article serving to equip
the implements of religious worship

implement

2 of 2

verb

im·​ple·​ment ˈim-plə-ˌment How to pronounce implement (audio)
implemented; implementing; implements

transitive verb

1
: carry out, accomplish
especially : to give practical effect to and ensure of actual fulfillment by concrete measures
2
: to provide instruments or means of expression for
implementer noun
or implementor
Choose the Right Synonym for implement

implement, tool, instrument, appliance, utensil mean a relatively simple device for performing work.

implement may apply to anything necessary to perform a task.

crude stone implements
farm implements

tool suggests an implement adapted to facilitate a definite kind or stage of work and suggests the need of skill more strongly than implement.

a carpenter's tools

instrument suggests a device capable of delicate or precise work.

the dentist's instruments

appliance refers to a tool or instrument utilizing a power source and suggests portability or temporary attachment.

household appliances

utensil applies to a device used in domestic work or some routine unskilled activity.

kitchen utensils

Examples of implement in a Sentence

Noun They eat with us, do the beach with us; the girls, K.C. and Jessica, buy kitchen implements for us, come over to casually straighten up, make beds, clear the dishes from the sink and the bedrooms … Dave Eggers, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, 2000
In the toolhouse … there were also antique implements worn like prehistoric artifacts: an ancient oblong pink whetstone pointed at either end and soapily warped by all its use, and an old-fashioned square hoe worn into a lopsided metal oval … John Updike, The Afterlife, 1994
There was a little implement called a lemon zester that she had bought from a door-to-door salesman. Ann Beattie, New Yorker, 28 Dec. 1987
stone implements used in prehistoric times a sharp-edged implement used to chop wood Verb A federal interagency group should develop and implement a risk management strategy to reduce human exposure to dioxins and dioxin-like chemicals in food, says a report from the Institute of Medicine … Bette Hileman, Chemical & Engineering News, 7 July 2003
… drew scattered snickers when he implemented a dress code for Senate staffers … Michelle Cottle, New Republic, 12 July 1999
States remain years behind in implementing child support regulations … New York Times, 30 Dec. 1997
I wondered how I might best implement his plan. Due to high costs, the program was never fully implemented.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The first graders each grabbed a piece of paper and a drawing implement (one student embarked on a mission to fish out all the pink markers until Bloom persuaded her to leave some for her classmates) and began sketching their imaginary pets. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2024 The team believes that the ancient hominids used these properties to craft the perfect glue: just adhesive enough to bind a stone implement to a wooden handle but not too sticky to prevent one from easily putting it down. Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 22 Feb. 2024 These implements were possibly melted down and traded. Chris Baraniuk, WIRED, 20 Feb. 2024 In a statement issued Wednesday night, Biden pleaded for Congress to take action on banning assault weapons, strengthen background checks and ban implements that help increase the number of bullets someone can fire without having to reload. Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2024 Vintage farm implements and machinery proliferate on the property. John Meyer, The Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2024 Sennett was stabbed and beaten with a fireplace implement in what was staged to look like a home invasion and burglary at her Colbert County, Ala., home, court records show. Kim Bellware, Washington Post, 24 Jan. 2024 The $18 implement, made by the hair-tool brand FHI Heat, looks like a regular paddle brush, but with its rear panel removed so that air can flow through its perforated sheet of plastic bristles. Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2023 But one constant is the central role of drawing in her practice, whether in the studio or at home and with implements as disparate as Sharpies, highlighters, and oil sticks. Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2023
Verb
When playing at online casinos, wagering requirements are implemented to protect the house from bonus abuse. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 As European Union regulators prepared to implement a Big Tech law that would broadside U.S. heavyweights such as Apple and Google, the letters poured into the White House. Eva Dou, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 The Administration decided to work with us to implement our amendment through the issuance of a national-security memorandum. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2024 In recent years, the SEC has implemented relatively shorter timelines for compliance that have left executives in finance, legal and accounting functions scrambling for purchase. Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2024 But if the measure prevails, there is nothing in it to guide how it could be implemented. Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 In response to a call for action from the community, many Valley cities, under regulatory power given to them in a new state law, implemented a series of new rules and regulations for short-term rental hosts in 2022 and 2023. Marcus Reichley, The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024 Delta noted this is the first increase the company has implemented since 2018 and said the change will help with rising industry costs. Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 6 Mar. 2024 Fernandez said the City Council should incentivize more affordable housing construction and implement support services like job training, health care access and treatment for mental health and addiction. Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'implement.' 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

Noun

Middle English, "supplementary payment needed to complete the sum due," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, "appurtenances (as furniture or equipment) belonging to a household or property," borrowed from Medieval Latin implēmentum "making up to a full complement (of a former state, extent or value), item contributing to the entirety of a property, appurtenance, fixture," going back to Late Latin, "act of filling, replenishment," from Latin implēre "to fill, provide in full measure, fill up, occupy, amount to, perform, carry out" (from im- im- + plēre "to fill") + -mentum -ment — more at full entry 1

Note: Regarding the currency of the verb plēre in Latin see note at complete entry 1.

Verb

derivative of implement entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of implement was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near implement

Cite this Entry

“Implement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/implement. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

implement

1 of 2 noun
im·​ple·​ment ˈim-plə-mənt How to pronounce implement (audio)
: an article intended for use in work

implement

2 of 2 verb
im·​ple·​ment ˈim-plə-ˌment How to pronounce implement (audio)
: to take steps to put into practice : carry out
implement the terms of a treaty
implementation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on implement

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