implement

noun

im·ple·ment | \ ˈim-plə-mənt

Definition of implement

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : an article serving to equip the implements of religious worship

2 : a device used in the performance of a task : tool, utensil

3 : one that serves as an instrument or tool the partnership agreement does not seem to be a very potent implement— H. B. Hoffman

implement

verb

im·ple·ment | \ ˈim-plə-ˌment

implemented; implementing; implements

Definition of implement (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from implement Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about implement

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Other Words from implement

Verb

implementation \ ˌim-plə-mən-ˈtā-shən

, -ˌmen- \ noun

implementer or implementor \ ˈim-plə-ˌmen-tər

\ noun

Synonyms for implement

Synonyms: Noun

device, instrument, tool, utensil

Synonyms: Verb

administer, apply, enforce, execute

Choose the Right Synonym for implement

Noun

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 new locking technology also reduces wear on the individual implements, the company says. — Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, "Leatherman Rethinks the Multitool. This Time With Magnets.," 17 Apr. 2019 The other invention that shaped today's pencil happened at the other end of the implement. — Jonathan Schifman, Popular Mechanics, "The Write Stuff: How the Humble Pencil Conquered the World," 16 Aug. 2016 Buy the Basics The single most important cutting implement in any kitchen is the chef's knife, which comes in sizes between 6 and 14 inches. — The Good Housekeeping Institute, Good Housekeeping, "How to Buy a Chef's Knife," 2 May 2012 Same goes for implement controls: Lift or lower the mowing deck, raise and lower or manipulate any of the attachments. — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, "The Year of the Tractor," 7 May 2016 The dollar could rise to 7.5 yuan next year if the U.S. implements more tariffs on Chinese imports, while a trade deal and reduced tariffs could push the yuan to 6.5, a report from UBS Global Wealth Management said. — Julie Wernau, WSJ, "U.S.-China Trade Worries Drag Down Yuan," 6 Dec. 2018 Hobos scrawled the secret language with whatever writing implements were available—a lump of coal, chalk, a nail, or even a sharp-edged rock. — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, "The Hobo Hieroglyphs: Their Secret Symbols, Explained," 21 Nov. 2018 Sales were driven by Acuvue contact lenses, surgical implements and wound-closure products. — Linda A. Johnson, The Seattle Times, "Prescription drugs, lower taxes, power J&J 3Q beat," 16 Oct. 2018 Within the standard set of deathmatch, capture-the-flag, and free-for-all modes, Black Ops 4 implements two new systems that purport to change the gameplay significantly. — Julie Muncy, Ars Technica, "Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 review: War games, now with battle royale!," 19 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Once implemented, coffee would not be treated as a priority in times of war or crisis and stockpiled. — Rick Noack, The Seattle Times, "Switzerland wants to declare coffee nonessential for human survival," 12 Apr. 2019 GeForce product manager Justin Walker says that’s because the modern Turing architecture implements concurrent execution, which allows floating point and non-floating point instructions to run simultaneously. — Brad Chacos, PCWorld, "RTX on GTX: Nvidia's latest driver unlocks ray tracing on GeForce GTX graphics cards," 11 Apr. 2019 Sometimes, a stroke can be treated with blood clot-busting and blood thinning medications as well as emergency medical procedures, followed by rehabilitation and implementing preventive strategies for the future. — Sarah Jacoby, SELF, "Luke Perry Dies at 52 After 'Massive' Stroke," 4 Mar. 2019 Large private food retailers like McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, Jamba Juice, and Chick-fil-A already have phased out polystyrene products or plan to phase them out or implement new recycling processes. — Camille Harmer, Fortune, "How Banning Plastic Straws Could Make Pollution Even Worse," 12 July 2018 Fortunately, the Marshalls have a few decades to figure out a strategy and implement it before rising sea levels make their whole population homeless. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "To Save Themselves from Sea Level Rise, the Marshall Islands Want to Raise the Land," 26 Feb. 2019 But even as several states embrace automatic voter registration, only a few have implemented it. — Matt Stout, BostonGlobe.com, "Senate unanimously backs automatic voter registration; bill may reach governor soon," 13 July 2018 Styrofoam bans sound good when taken at face value, but long-term effects must be considered before implementing them. — Camille Harmer, Fortune, "How Banning Plastic Straws Could Make Pollution Even Worse," 12 July 2018 But as of January – three years after the county Board of Supervisors voted to implement it here – Laura’s Law was still unused in San Diego County. — Lyndsay Winkley, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Did the 'system' fail mentally ill man who shot 2 San Diego police officers? Some think so," 1 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'implement.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.