implement

noun im·ple·ment \ ˈim-plə-mənt \

|Updated on: 21 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: implement in a Sentence

Definition of implement

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

See implement defined for English-language learners

See implement defined for kids

Examples of implement in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of implement from the Web

His Fiat implement from the early 1960s came from a junkyard in Illinois.

— mitchell kirk, Post-Tribune, "Cass County man collects tractors from around the world," 6 July 2018
My furniture was all destroyed and my farming implements were all destroyed or stolen.

— john maccormack, San Antonio Express-News, "Old American colony in Mexico clings to its past," 18 May 2018
The remains of the cargo and various metal implements (like anchors and fittings) are still visible, but the vessel’s hull structures and timbers have vanished.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Two 19th-Century Shipwrecks Discovered During Search for Flight MH370," 10 May 2018
The plan recommends that the Illinois Department of Transportation implement tolls on existing expressways after they are reconstructed to help pay for the projects.

— susan demar lafferty, Daily Southtown, "I-80 improvements deemed 'critical' in regional transportation plan," 3 July 2018
The museum contains an extensive collection of antique farm implements.

— janice steinhagen, Courant Community, "Blue Slope Farm Sells Off Its Milking Herd," 2 July 2018
See tools and household implements of years gone by.

— luann gibbs, Cincinnati.com, "Free and fun things to do this weekend in Cincinnati," 28 June 2018
Officials from West Virginia and Marshall reportedly have working toward obtaining integrity fee money to offset anticipated compliance and monitoring costs if the state implements sports betting.

— steve berkowitz, USA TODAY, "NCAA will not seek a cut from sports betting, association executive says," 28 June 2018
Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images.. Images of migrant children who have been separated from their parents at the United States border have circulated the internet following the implement of a new, controversial policy.

— refinery29.com, "George & Amal Clooney Make $100,000 Donation To Help Migrant Children," 20 June 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.

Origin and Etymology of implement

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin implementum action of filling up, from Latin implēre to fill up, from in- + plēre to fill — more at full

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

implement Synonyms

Synonyms

device, instrument, tool, utensil;

Related Words

apparatus, appliance, mechanism;

contraption, contrivance, gadget, gizmo (also gismo), jigger;

accessory (also accessary), accoutrement (or accouterment), adjunct, appendage, attachment;

Synonym Discussion of 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

implement

verb im·ple·ment \ ˈim-plə-ˌment \

Definition of implement

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

—

implementation

play \ˌim-plə-mən-ˈtā-shən, -ˌmen-\ noun

—

implementer

or implementor play \ˈim-plə-ˌmen-tər\ noun

See implement defined for English-language learners

Examples of implement in a Sentence

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.