execute
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to do something that has been planned or agreed on.
to carry out or put into effect a plan, order, or course of action. Transitive — requires a direct object.
Simple“The team worked hard to execute the marketing plan before the product launch.”
In context“The board of directors praised the CEO for her ability to execute the restructuring strategy under such difficult market conditions.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
to perform a difficult action or movement that requires skill.
to perform a specific action or artistic work with a particular level of skill or precision.
Simple“The gymnast managed to execute a perfect landing after her routine.”
In context“The pianist executed the final movement with such technical brilliance that the audience remained silent for several seconds after the last note.”
SynonymsAntonymsfailbotch - 03 C1 Advanced
to start or run a computer program or a set of instructions.
to carry out a set of instructions or run a program. Can be used transitively for the user action or intransitively for the code itself.
Simple“You need to execute the script to update the database.”
In context“The operating system failed to execute the command because the user lacked the necessary administrative permissions.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
to make a legal document valid by signing it.
to make a legal instrument, such as a contract or a will, valid by fulfilling the required formalities, typically by signing.
Simple“The contract is not official until both parties execute the document.”
In context“The solicitor advised the client that the will must be witnessed by two independent parties to be properly executed.”
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
to kill someone as a legal punishment for a crime.
to put to death as a result of a legal sentence or judicial decree.
Simple“The prisoner was executed at dawn after his final appeal was rejected.”
In context“The historical record shows that the rebels were executed for treason shortly after the failed uprising in the capital.”
“Just one hour later, Darrell Hines was put to death by the state of Tennessee, and at 6pm local time in Alabama, that state executed Jeremy Williams.”
“Squid Game meets The X Factor in this sharply executed 14+ dystopian satire.”
From Old French executer (French exécuter), from Latin exsecutus, past participle of exsequor (“to follow (up/through)”, particularly in the sense “to go through with a deed or punishment”), from ex- (“out”) + sequor (“to follow”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.