Word
executioner
Phoneticsex·e·cu·tion·er, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɛksəkˈjuʃənɝ/
UK/ˌɛksɪkjˈuːʃənɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person whose job is to kill someone who has been sentenced to death by a court. This word is mostly used when talking about history or stories.
n. an official appointed to carry out a death sentence. Often used in historical or literary contexts to describe the person performing a capital punishment.
Examples
“The executioner wore a black mask to hide his face.”
“In medieval times, the executioner was often a feared figure who lived on the outskirts of the city.”
“The novel explores the psychological burden placed upon the royal executioner, who must balance his duty to the crown against his own moral reservations.”
Examples
simple
“The executioner wore a black mask to hide his face.”
contextual
“In medieval times, the executioner was often a feared figure who lived on the outskirts of the city.”
complex
“The novel explores the psychological burden placed upon the royal executioner, who must balance his duty to the crown against his own moral reservations.”
Usage
Commonly used in historical narratives; in modern legal contexts, terms like 'execution technician' or 'corrections officer' are more frequent.
Real-World Examples
“The executioner sent someone to look for a stronger rope .” “Eleven executioners packed into the building’s basement, each assigned to kill a specific victim.” Etymology
From execution + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/executioner