execute

verb

ex·​e·​cute ˈek-si-ˌkyüt 

executed; executing; executes

transitive verb

1

: to carry (something) out fully : to put (something) completely into effect

execute a command

executed the plan

The pilot executed an emergency landing.

2

: to do what is provided or required by (something)

The police executed the search warrant.

3

: to put (someone) to death especially in compliance with a legal sentence

4

: to make or produce (something, such as a work of art) especially by carrying out a design

a painting executed in bright colors

5

: to perform what is required to give validity to (something)

execute a deed

6

: perform

execute a piece of music

The Owls scored on a trick play touchdown and executed some impeccable defense …

—Sean Farrell

7

computing : to cause a system to perform the tasks indicated by (encoded instructions)

The exploits allowed the attackers to execute malicious code directly on the web server.

—Dan Goodin

intransitive verb

1

: to perform properly or skillfully the fundamentals of a sport or of a particular play

Before the game, [NBA Coach Taylor] Jenkins told his players they needed to be better in the first three quarters and execute better in the last.

—Terry Davis

2

of computer code : to cause a system to perform indicated tasks

When the document is opened …, the hidden code executes and exploits a vulnerability to download malware onto the user's PC.

—Software World

Synonyms

• administer
• apply
• enforce
• implement

Choose the Right Synonym for execute

kill, slay, murder, assassinate, dispatch, execute mean to deprive of life.

kill merely states the fact of death caused by an agency in any manner.

killed in an accident

frost killed the plants

slay is a chiefly literary term implying deliberateness and violence but not necessarily motive.

slew thousands of the Philistines

murder specifically implies stealth and motive and premeditation and therefore full moral responsibility.

convicted of murdering a rival

assassinate applies to deliberate killing openly or secretly often for political motives.

terrorists assassinated the Senator

dispatch stresses quickness and directness in putting to death.

dispatched the sentry with one bullet

execute stresses putting to death as a legal penalty.

executed by lethal gas

perform, execute, discharge, accomplish, achieve, effect, fulfill mean to carry out or into effect.

perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill.

performed gymnastics

execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.

executed the hit-and-run

discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.

discharged his duties

accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out.

accomplished everything they set out to do

achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.

achieve greatness

effect adds to achieve an emphasis on the inherent force in the agent capable of surmounting obstacles.

effected sweeping reforms

fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.

fulfilled their ambitions

Examples of execute in a Sentence

He was captured, tried, and executed for murder.

They carefully executed the plan.

The pilot executed an emergency landing.

The quarterback executed the play perfectly.

execute the provisions of the will

Recent Examples on the Web

Spending any time or resources to execute 32 steps when 11 would achieve the same outcome is still inefficient, even if the task is automated or AI-assisted. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

Campbell made a controversial decision to execute an onside kick, which subsequently failed, in the fourth quarter when the Lions were trailing by 10 points with 12 minutes left on the clock. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024

His attorneys also did not present a recent expert assessment on whether Corcoran understands why he will be executed, DeGuilio said. —Kristine Phillips, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Dec. 2024

Cinematographer Lol Crawley, who had shot Corbet’s previous two films, had to execute the reveal of the library, as well as the film’s sweeping Carrara sequence, all while working in the little used format. —Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French executer, from execucion execution

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

execute

verb

ex·​e·​cute ˈek-sə-ˌkyüt 

executed; executing

1

: to put into effect : carry out, perform

execute a plan

execute a dance step

2

: to do what is required by

the computer executed the first line of the program

3

: to put to death according to a legal order

4

: to make or produce by carrying out a design

a statue executed in bronze

Legal Definition

execute

transitive verb

ex·​e·​cute ˈek-si-ˌkyüt 

executed; executing

1

: perform: as

a

: to carry out fully

includes not only executed violence, but also threatened violence

—Louisiana Civil Code

b

: to do what is provided or required by

execute a contract

execute a search warrant

c

: to deem (a use in property) to confer full seisin in a cestui que use by operation of the Statute of Uses

2

: to perform what is required to give validity to

especially : to complete (as by signing and delivering) in proper form

execute a note

execute a deed

3

: to put to death in compliance with a judicial death sentence