execute
verb
ex·e·cute
| \ ˈek-si-ˌkyüt
\
\
executed;
executing
Definition of execute
1
: to carry out fully : put completely into effect
execute a command
2
: to do what is provided or required by
execute a decree
3
: to put 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
5
: to perform what is required to give validity to
execute a deed
6
: play
execute a piece of music
1
: to perform properly or skillfully the fundamentals of a sport or of a particular play
never had a team execute better— Bobby Knight
2
: to perform indicated tasks according to encoded instructions
—used of a computer program or routine
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Other Words from execute
executable
\ ˈek-si-ˌkyü-tə-bəl
\
adjective
\
adjective
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
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Recent Examples on the Web
Areas like security and digital marketing have seen tremendous change in recent years, and failure to execute in either of these areas can kill a young business. — Sarika Garg, Quartz at Work, "WeWork’s all-male board is not its biggest board diversity problem," 3 Sep. 2019 Her winning performance included two skills never before executed in a women’s gymnastics competition: a triple double (two flips with three twists) in floor exercise and a double-double dismount (two flips with two twists) off the balance beam. — Jacey Fortin, New York Times, "Tevin Biles-Thomas, Brother of U.S. Gymnast, Is Charged in a Triple Murder," 30 Aug. 2019 McVeigh, who was executed in 2011, become something of a cult figure among mass shooters and in dark corners of the internet. — Eric Heisig, Anchorage Daily News, "‘Shoot every federal agent on sight’: 18-year-old behind online threat had 10,000 rounds of ammo, feds say," 14 Aug. 2019 McVeigh, who was executed in 2011, become something of a cult figure among mass shooters and in dark corners of the internet. — Eric Heisig, cleveland.com, "Ohio man posted about mass shootings, attacking Planned Parenthood and federal agents, authorities say," 12 Aug. 2019 The brand has become known for certain hallmarks, all executed in a very specific way: worn white linens, perfectly imperfect ruffles, delicate floral prints. — Candace Braun Davison, House Beautiful, "Rachel Ashwell's Not Doing Too Shabby," 6 Aug. 2019 After the war a monument was erected in Fontainebleau Forest, where Mandel was executed in 1944. — James Mcauley, Town & Country, "The Haunting of Paris: Georges Mandel and the Long Legacy of Nazi Violence," 6 Aug. 2019 But the long-term implications of this conflict don’t outweigh how much slog potential this game has if both teams force the other to execute in the halfcourt. — Rohan Nadkarni, SI.com, "Ranking the NBA's 2019 Christmas Day Games," 3 Aug. 2019 And in June, Prada’s 21st century evolution continued apace with the launch of Re-Nylon, an eco-friendly line of iconic bag silhouettes executed in a progressive new nylon, Econyl, a 100% regenerated fiber from fishnets and other nylon excess. — Channing Hargrove, refinery29.com, "Watch Prada Reinvent Its Iconic Nylon Bag With Adut Akech — & An Eco-Friendly Touch," 25 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'execute.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for execute
execute
verb
English Language Learners Definition of execute
: to kill (someone) especially as punishment for a crime
: to do (something that you have planned to do or been told to do)
: to do or perform (an action or movement that requires skill)
See the full definition for execute in the English Language Learners Dictionary
execute
verb
ex·e·cute
| \ ˈek-sə-ˌkyüt
\
\
executed;
executing
Kids Definition of execute
1
: to kill according to a legal order
2
: to put into effect : perform or carry out
execute a plan
3
: to make according to a design
The painting was executed in bright colors.