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

Elvis’ will appointed his father, Vernon Presley, as the executor and trustee of his estate. —Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 8 Oct. 2024

And its existence as a finished, bound, actually readable object is thanks largely to years of efforts by Harlan’s friend, partner in crime and the executor of his estate, J. Michael Straczynski. —Jason Sheehan, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2024

Examples of relationships that impose fiduciary duties include attorney/client, executor/heir, guardian/ward, agent/principal, and trustee/beneficiary relationships. —Nick Dedeke, Ars Technica, 28 Sep. 2024

The question, Stern says, is, who is the executor of the trust? —Liza Esquibias, People.com, 5 Oct. 2024

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