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

After discovering Morrison’s journals over a decade prior, Chewning — the executor of Morrison’s estate along with their brother Andrew, decided to publish them. —Makena Gera, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025

Robert Seidler was the executor of Peter Seidler’s will and estate until stepping down last May; Matt Seidler replaced him per terms of the family trust. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2025

The sale is running in parallel with the final chapter of the dispersal of Karl Lagerfeld’s personal collection, organized by the temporary executor for the designer’s estate appointed by a court in Monaco. —Joelle Diderich, WWD, 9 Jan. 2025

Matthew Seidler is the current executor of the Peter Seidler estate, which had designated Robert as the previous executor. —Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 7 Jan. 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