implement

noun im·ple·ment \ ˈim-plə-mənt \

Updated on: 13 May 2018

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

See tools and household implements of years gone by. Themed display on rotating basis.

— luann gibbs, Cincinnati.com, "Fun and free things to do this weekend in Cincinnati," 3 May 2018
To facilitate the operation and render the task less irksome is the object of the inventor, from Illinois, of the neat little implement shown in the engraving.

— daniel c. schlenoff, Scientific American, "1968: Lunar Orbiter photos; 1868: The Atmosphere as Greenhouse," 1 May 2018
The additional funding came to help the agency implement changes required by a sprawling overhaul of the tax code that Republicans passed in December.

— jeff stein, chicagotribune.com, "IRS blames Tax Day woes on glitch in file that houses personal records," 18 Apr. 2018
The law exempts any salesman, partsman or mechanic primarily engaged in selling or servicing automobiles, trucks or farm implements.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "A Second Kick of the Ninth Circuit," 2 Apr. 2018
This is why the trusty #2 is the required writing implement for the SAT.

— jonathan schifman, Popular Mechanics, "The Write Stuff: How the Humble Pencil Conquered the World," 16 Aug. 2016
Eventually officers were able to arrest Graham, who was charged with false impersonation of a police officer, simple assault, resisting arrest, procession of unregistered ammunition and possession of implements of a crime.

— Fox News, "Police impersonator slapped handcuffs on real cop before arrest, officials say," 11 Apr. 2018
And only one implements it fully, according to Global Cyber Alliance.

— brian barrett, WIRED, "Security News This Week: The US Gets Tough With Putin's Inner Circle," 7 Apr. 2018
At the California Science Center, the exhibition design for these gilded wood sculptures and assorted implements of daily life is overly theatricalized.

— christopher knight, latimes.com, "How good is the King Tut exhibition? An art critic weighs in," 29 Mar. 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

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.

Recent Examples of implement from the Web

Neither the Edwards administration nor lawmakers have said what other services would be eliminated if these Medicaid cuts are implemented and the federal government blocks them.

— julia o'donoghue, NOLA.com, "Louisiana following through with warnings to 37,000 Medicaid recipients," 9 May 2018
Carson said this was evidence that municipalities were ill-equipped to implement the rule and needed more time.

— jeff andrews, Curbed, "Ben Carson sued for delaying an anti-segregation rule—again," 8 May 2018
But the 1,000-student district failed to implement needed improvements and was taken over by the state in less than a year.

— darcy costello, The Courier-Journal, "JCPS takeover: Here's what happened in two other Kentucky districts," 8 May 2018
Emerging simulation technologies For energy companies facing resource and technical challenges to implementing and maintaining a program, emerging technologies are helping to fill the gap.

— Houston Chronicle, "Guest column: Stress testing powers strategic planning for energy companies," 7 May 2018
The Tor Project has also seen a spike in bridge connections to the anonymizing network from Iran as Iranians attempt to bypass blocks implemented by ISPs.

— sean gallagher, Ars Technica, "Iran blocks Telegram, pushes replacement with “Death to America” emoji," 1 May 2018
The loans for some of those deals were backed by HUD under a program implemented by the Obama administration.

— stephen battaglio, latimes.com, "Fox News host Sean Hannity says he never talked to HUD about loans that helped his real estate investments," 23 Apr. 2018
In fact there was a general Government Accountability Office report done in 2015 that showed zero of the EMP Commission recommendations were implemented by the Obama administration.

— Fox News, "What threats face America's electrical grid?," 23 Apr. 2018
The Earth Day event comes as politicians, including President Donald Trump, have pushed back on environmentalism, rolling back eco-friendly policies implemented by predecessor Barack Obama.

— marco santana, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Lake Eola's Earth Day celebration focuses on kids' education," 21 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of implement

see ¹implement

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1806

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

implement Synonyms

IMPLEMENT Defined for English Language Learners

implement

noun

Definition of implement for English Language Learners

: an object used to do work

implement

verb

Definition of implement for English Language Learners

: to begin to do or use (something, such as a plan) : to make (something) active or effective

IMPLEMENT Defined for Kids

implement

noun im·ple·ment \ ˈim-plə-mənt \

Definition of implement for Students

: an object (as a tool) intended for a certain use

farm implements

implement

verb im·ple·ment \ ˈim-plə-ˌment \

Definition of implement for Students

implemented; implementing

: to begin to do or use something

They're implementing the plan.

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implement

Definition of implement

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Origin and Etymology of implement

implement Synonyms

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Synonym Discussion of implement

implement

Definition of implement

implementation

implementer

Examples of implement in a Sentence

Recent Examples of implement from the Web

Origin and Etymology of implement

implement Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

IMPLEMENT Defined for English Language Learners

implement

Definition of implement for English Language Learners

implement

Definition of implement for English Language Learners

IMPLEMENT Defined for Kids

implement

Definition of implement for Students

implement

Definition of implement for Students

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