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 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 In Endless West’s 1,800-square-foot lab, there are no implements ordinarily associated with making wine or whiskey. — Alan Goldfarb, The Verge, "Artificial whiskey is coming, and one company is betting you’ll drink up," 23 Aug. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The investments, made under the guidance of the bank’s U.S. monitor, have gone toward implementing a more robust model for managing risks, as well as an enhanced transaction-monitoring and sanctions-screening system. — Kristin Broughton, WSJ, "European Banks Tighten Belts to Fund Compliance Investments," 4 Mar. 2019 The most obvious next step in search of greater competitive balance would be to further harden up the cap, building on the increased luxury tax penalties and repeater taxes implemented in the most recent deal. — Ben Golliver, SI.com, "Two Years After Durant’s Decision, Adam Silver Changes Tune on Superteam Warriors," 11 July 2018 Prices have also been supported this week by expectations that the U.S. will extend its deadline for implementing additional tariffs on Chinese goods as trade talks between the two countries progressed. — Dan Molinski And Sarah Mcfarlane, WSJ, "Oil Prices Rise Amid Confidence in OPEC Production Cut," 14 Feb. 2019 By that time, however, the 128-bit IPv6 address and packet format had long been standardized but not very widely implemented. — Popular Mechanics, "The Death of the Internet," 7 Feb. 2019 Tourism has since partially bounced back after Tunisia’s government implemented a series of measures aimed at securing popular destinations in the country. — Bouazza Ben Bouazza, The Seattle Times, "17 on trial in deadly Tunisian beach attack on UK tourists," 29 Jan. 2019 For any school, implementing this change is a big endeavor. — Angela Chen, The Verge, "Why we might want the school day to start later," 12 Dec. 2018 The 13th annual event, sponsored by Fiji Water and American Express among others, honored women across the industry, from artists and executives to the women who created and implemented the Music Modernization Act. — Michaela Bechler, Vogue, "Strong and Influential Females Were Recognized at Billboard's 2018 Women in Music Event," 7 Dec. 2018 The government of Ukraine has undertaken remarkable reforms to ensure economic growth, provide effective governance, facilitate human capital development, implement the rule of law and fight corruption.... — Monitor Editors, The Christian Science Monitor, "Troubled by the US Supreme Court’s upholding of Trump’s travel ban, Erdoğan’s reelection tilts toward authoritarianism, Why a stable Turkey is important, Ukraine has come a long way since Russia’s invasion, ‘Standard of living’ or ‘standard of life’?," 14 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.