execute

execute — verb

1. to take a person's life because a court has officially ordered that punishment

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to take a person's life because a court has officially ordered that punishment

Example

The court sentenced Jabari to death, and he was executed three weeks later.

passive: be executed by legal order

Several countries have stopped executing prisoners and use life sentences instead.

collocation: executing prisoners

Common collocations
  • be executed
  • execute a prisoner
  • execute by firing squad
  • execute by lethal injection
Synonyms
  • put to death

    more neutral euphemism; focuses on the act rather than the legal process

  • sentence to death

    refers only to the court's decision, not the actual killing

Antonyms
  • pardon

    to officially forgive someone and stop their punishment

  • reprieve

    to delay or cancel a planned execution

Grammar Patterns

execute + person

be executed by [method]

Usage Note

Frequently used in the passive voice (be executed). The subject performing the killing is typically a government, court, or legal authority, not a private individual.

Common Mistakes

The gang executed their enemy in a street fight.
The gang murdered their enemy in a street fight.
'execute' implies legal authority; for illegal killing use 'murder' or 'kill'.
The soldier was executed in battle.
The soldier was killed in battle.
'execute' means a planned legal punishment, not death during combat.

2. to carry out a plan, order, or piece of work, making sure that each step or acti

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to carry out a plan, order, or piece of work, making sure that each step or action is completed

Example

The contractor executed the building plans exactly as the architect had drawn them.

collocation: execute a plan

Eli executed a perfect dive from the ten-metre platform during the competition.

collocation: execute a movement or skill

Common collocations
  • execute a plan
  • execute an order
  • execute a task
  • execute a strategy
  • execute a movement
Synonyms
  • carry out

    less formal; works for plans, orders, and tasks

  • perform

    suggests a display of skill or effort; common for movements and duties

  • implement

    focuses on putting a plan or policy into action

  • accomplish

    emphasises successful completion of a goal

Antonyms
  • abandon

    to stop working on a plan before it is done

  • neglect

    to fail to carry out a duty or task

Grammar Patterns

execute + plan/order/task/skill

execute + strategy

Usage Note

More formal than 'do' or 'carry out'. Common in professional contexts to emphasise careful, complete performance. The object can be a plan, order, task, movement, or skill.

Common Mistakes

I executed my homework last night.
I did my homework last night.
'execute' sounds too formal for everyday tasks; use 'do' or 'complete'.
The chef executed a soup for lunch.
The chef prepared a soup for lunch.
'execute' fits skilled performances (a dive, a piece of music) but not routine cooking.

3. to make a legal document valid by signing it or to carry out the instructions wr

3.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to make a legal document valid by signing it or to carry out the instructions written in one, such as a will or contract

Example

Élise executed Mrs. Chen's will six months after her death.

collocation: execute a will

Both parties executed the contract in the presence of a notary public.

collocation: execute a contract with signature

Common collocations
  • execute a will
  • execute a contract
  • execute a deed
  • execute a transfer
Synonyms
  • fulfil

    broader meaning; can apply to any promise or requirement, not just legal ones

  • formalise

    focuses on making something official and legally binding

Antonyms
  • invalidate

    to make a document legally void or unenforceable

Grammar Patterns

execute + legal document (will/contract/deed)

Usage Note

The object is always a legal document (will, contract, deed) or a legally instructed action (transfer of money, sale of property). Less common in everyday speech than the other senses.

Common Mistakes

I executed my grandmother's letter.
I executed my grandmother's will.
'execute' in this sense only applies to legal documents, not personal letters.

4. to make a computer run a program, carry out a command, or process a set of instr

4.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to make a computer run a program, carry out a command, or process a set of instructions

Example

Salma executed the Python script and checked the terminal for error messages.

collocation: execute a script

The server automatically executes a full system backup every night at midnight.

collocation: execute a backup

Common collocations
  • execute a command
  • execute a program
  • execute a script
  • execute code
  • execute a search
Synonyms
  • run

    less formal; the everyday alternative to 'execute' in computing contexts

  • launch

    focuses on starting a program, not necessarily completing its tasks

Grammar Patterns

execute + program/command/script

execute + code

Usage Note

The subject is usually a person running a program or the computer system itself. Common in technical writing, programming tutorials, and system administration contexts.

Common Mistakes

I executed the computer.
I executed the program on the computer.
'execute' takes the program or command as the object, not the machine.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/2

'Carry out' is the most neutral and least formal option, suitable for everyday plans and orders ('The team carried out the experiment'). 'Perform' highlights skill or ability, making it ideal for movements, duties, or artistic actions ('The surgeon performed the operation flawlessly'). 'Implement' carries a stronger emphasis on putting a decision or policy into effect, often used in business or government ('The school implemented a new attendance policy'). 'Accomplish' focuses on reaching a goal or completing something successfully ('She accomplished everything she set out to do'). Use 'execute' when you want to emphasise that each step was completed faithfully, especially in formal, professional, or technical contexts.

carry out ↗perform ↗implement ↗accomplish ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

  • according to

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word comes from Latin 'exsequi', meaning 'to follow out thoroughly' — a combination of 'ex-' ('out') and 'sequi' ('to follow'). It passed into English through Old French 'executer' in the 1300s. Over time it shifted from 'following through' on an order to the specific meanings we use today, including legal killing (1500s) and computing (1900s).