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execution

noun
ex·​e·​cu·​tion | \ ËŒek-si-ˈkyü-shÉ™n How to pronounce execution (audio) \

Definition of execution

1 : the act or process of executing : performance
2 : a putting to death especially as a legal penalty
3 : the process of enforcing a legal judgment (as against a debtor) also : a judicial writ directing such enforcement
4 : the act or mode or result of performance
5 archaic : effective or destructive action his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution— William Shakespeare —usually used with do as soon as day came, we went out to see what execution we had done— Daniel Defoe
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Examples of execution in a Sentence

He is in prison awaiting execution. The quarterback's execution of the play was perfect. skillful execution of the dance steps
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Miller, 47, could face execution if convicted of the slayings of 36-year-old Sgt. — Monivette Cordeiro, orlandosentinel.com, "Everett Miller trial: Marine veteran was in ‘downward spiral’ before fatal shooting of 2 Kissimmee cops," 30 Aug. 2019 And yet, in the execution of the piece itself and the reaction to it among progressives, there exists a reminder that the national media was never prepared to handle a story on this subject at this magnitude. — Nick Martin, The New Republic, "Who Gets to Say If Warren’s Apology to Cherokee Nation Is Enough?," 30 Aug. 2019 Reynolds was sentenced to death and awaited execution for twenty-one years. — Edmund H. Mahony, courant.com, "U.S. Judge rules former Connecticut death row inmate’s incarceration amounts to cruel and unusual punishment," 29 Aug. 2019 Menu items sound good on paper but baffle in execution. — Christina Tkacik, baltimoresun.com, "Inconsistent food and service make for a frustrating dining experience at Inner Harbor’s Blackwall Hitch," 15 Aug. 2019 It's remembered today as a film brimming with great ideas and set design that sometimes fails in execution. — Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, "'Event Horizon' Is Coming Back. It's About Damn Time.," 6 Aug. 2019 Attorney General William Barr announced last month that the Justice Department would resume federal executions for the first time since 2003. — Eric Tucker, Anchorage Daily News, "Attack highlights challenge of pursuing domestic extremists," 4 Aug. 2019 He was sentenced to death and is awaiting execution. — Emma Ruby, Dallas News, "Another horror show: El Paso shooting follows recent history of mass shootings in Texas," 3 Aug. 2019 The Justice Department’s decision this week to resume executions for the first time since 2003 has implications for two death row inmates with connections to Illinois, the Tribune reports. — Lisa Donovan, chicagotribune.com, "The Spin: Russian hackers tapped into an Illinois election database in 2016, but the concern is how the information might be used in 2020, according to a new U.S. Senate Intelligence report.," 25 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'execution.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of execution

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for execution

Middle English execucion, from Anglo-French, from Latin exsecution-, exsecutio, from exsequi to execute, from ex- + sequi to follow — more at sue

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More Definitions for execution

execution

noun
How to pronounce execution (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of execution

: the act of killing someone especially as punishment for a crime
: the act of doing or performing something

See the full definition for execution in the English Language Learners Dictionary

execution

noun
ex·​e·​cu·​tion | \ ËŒek-sÉ™-ˈkyü-shÉ™n How to pronounce execution (audio) \

Kids Definition of execution

1 : the act of killing someone as a legal penalty
2 : the act of doing or performing something execution of a plan

execution

noun
ex·​e·​cu·​tion | \ ËŒek-si-ˈkyü-shÉ™n How to pronounce execution (audio) \

Legal Definition of execution

1 : the act or process of executing witnessed the execution of the will
2 : a putting to death as fulfillment of a judicial death sentence
3 : the process of enforcing a judgment (as against a debtor) also : a judicial writ (as fieri facias) by which an officer is empowered to carry a judgment into effect — see also levy

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More from Merriam-Webster on execution

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with execution

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for execution

Spanish Central: Translation of execution

Nglish: Translation of execution for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of execution for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about execution

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