executable

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​e·​cut·​able ˈek-si-ˌkyü-tə-bəl 

1

: capable of being executed

an executable plan/strategy

specifically, computers : consisting of or containing coded instructions that can be run without using an assembler or compiler

executable code

A compiler needs to run only once, because it creates an executable file.

—Tom Campbell

2

: having execution (see execution sense 2) as a legal penalty : punishable by death

The report says that the scope of executable offenses is growing beyond internationally accepted boundaries.

—Betsy Pisik

executable

2 of 2

noun

plural executables

: a set of computer instructions (such as a program (see program sense 6a)) that has been prepared so that it can be run by a CPU without additional processing

Though it will no longer infect anyone, running a text file as an executable can crash the operating system.

—Oliver Kaven

The [hacker] group relied on users' familiarity with the Windows folder icons and the File Explorer interface to dupe victims into running malicious executables.

—Liam Tung

Examples of executable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Avoid downloading executable files: If an online document converter provides an .exe, .bat or .scr file instead of a standard document format, do not download or run it. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 26 Mar. 2025

Business Continuity Planning: Devise executable strategies to sustain critical functions during diverse disruption scenarios based on risk assessments. —Mit Somaiya, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2025

Noun

This targeted Windows desktop not phone users, and essentially meant an image could actually be an executable that would run on your device. —Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

In computing terminology, System 2 compiles its complex high-dimensional, symbolic code into System 1 executables. —Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

execute + -able

Noun

derivative of executable entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1977, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for executable

• computable
• disputable
• immutable
• imputable
• inscrutable
• unsuitable
• indisputable
• irrefutable
• substitutable
• mutable
• suitable