execution

n. C / U

C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˌɛksəkˈjuʃən// UK //ˌɛksɪkjˈuːʃən// ex·e·cu·tion

Archaic

n. the act of finishing a task or plan. It can also mean the legal killing of a criminal.

n. the carrying out or putting into effect of a plan, order, or course of action. In a legal context, it refers to the carrying out of a sentence of death on a condemned person.

SIMPLE

The team's execution of the plan was perfect.

CONTEXTUAL

While the strategy looked good on paper, its actual execution proved difficult due to a lack of funding.

COMPLEX

The board praised the CEO for her flawless execution of the merger, noting that the integration of the two companies occurred ahead of schedule and under budget.

Synonyms

Origin

From Old French execution (c.1360), from Latin exsecutiō, an agent noun from exsequor (“to follow out”), from ex (“out”) + sequor (“follow”). Equivalent to execute + -ion.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the general process of carrying out a task; countable when referring to specific instances of capital punishment.