executor

noun

ex·​ec·​u·​tor ig-ˈze-k(y)ə-tər 

or in sense 1

ˈek-sə-ˌkyü- 

1

a

: one who executes something

b

obsolete : executioner

2

a

: the person appointed by a testator to execute a will

b

: literary executor

executorial

ig-ˌze-k(y)ə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

Examples of executor in a Sentence

He named his daughter as his executor.

Recent Examples on the Web

In an interview with People magazine earlier this month, the executor of O.J. Simpson's estate revealed Kim Kardashian offered to buy the former athlete's Bible for $15,000. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025

Answer: Technically, an executor is a person who settles an estate through probate court. —Liz Weston, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025

This positions you as a forward-thinker, not just a task executor. —Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025

The court ruled unanimously in Humphrey's executor's favor and created the precedent that covers all independent government agencies, meaning workers cannot be fired by the president due to their political leanings. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin exsecutor, from exsequi

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing executor

• co-executor
• literary executor

Kids Definition

executor

noun

ex·​ec·​u·​tor ig-ˈzek-(y)ət-ər 

in sense 1 also

ˈek-sə-ˌkyüt- 

1

: a person who executes something

2

: the person named in a will to carry it out

Legal Definition

executor

noun

ex·​ec·​u·​tor ig-ˈze-kyə-tər 

: a person named by a testator to execute or carry out the instructions in a will compare administrator