execution

execution — noun

1. the killing of a convicted criminal by the state as a punishment for a serious c

1.nounB2
Definition

the killing of a convicted criminal by the state as a punishment for a serious crime.

Example

Ryo's family watched the news about the execution of the convicted murderer with mixed feelings.

collocation: execution of [person]

The execution of political prisoners drew criticism from human rights groups around the world.

Common collocations
  • carry out an execution
  • face execution
  • execution by firing squad
  • execution by lethal injection
  • execution chamber
  • stay of execution
  • awaiting execution
Synonyms
  • capital punishment

    the broader system or practice of executing criminals, not a single event

  • death sentence

    the court's official judgment, not the act of carrying it out

  • putting to death

    a descriptive phrase rather than a single word; less formal

Antonyms
  • reprieve

    the official cancellation or delay of a planned execution

  • pardon

    an official act of forgiving the crime and cancelling the punishment

Grammar Patterns

execution of [person]

by execution

[adj] execution

Usage Note

The subject of execution (the state) is often implied rather than stated. Distinguish from sense 2: the DEATH PENALTY sense always involves killing as punishment, never the carrying out of a plan.

Common Mistakes

The company ordered the execution of a new strategy.' (when meaning implementation).
The company ordered the execution of the prisoner.
'execution' in the death penalty sense only refers to killing a person; for plans use the PERFORMANCE sense.

2. the act of making something happen exactly as it was planned or designed, often

2.nounB2
Definition

the act of making something happen exactly as it was planned or designed, often requiring care and skill.

Example

The marketing team's flawless execution of the campaign impressed the company's board of directors.

collocation: flawless execution of [plan/campaign]

Folake's execution of the piano sonata was praised for its emotional depth and technical precision.

Common collocations
  • careful execution
  • flawless execution
  • poor execution
  • execution of a plan
  • execution of a strategy
  • execution of a duty
  • plan execution
  • task execution
Synonyms
  • implementation

    more technical and business-oriented; focuses on putting a plan into effect

  • performance

    broader, can refer to how well someone does a task or shows a skill

  • carrying out

    more everyday language; less formal than 'execution'

Antonyms
  • neglect

    failing to carry out a duty or plan

  • abandonment

    giving up on a plan before it is carried out

Grammar Patterns

execution of [plan/task/design]

[adj] execution of [noun]

Usage Note

Unlike sense 1 (DEATH PENALTY), this sense is uncountable and never refers to killing. Frequently modified by adjectives that evaluate quality: flawless, poor, careful, brilliant, sloppy.

Common Mistakes

The execution of the prisoner was flawless.' (confusing senses).
The execution of the dance routine was flawless.
the DEATH PENALTY sense never takes quality-evaluating adjectives like 'flawless' or 'poor'; those belong with the CARRYING OUT sense.
Idioms

a stay of execution

idiom

A temporary pause or delay in carrying out a court's order or a planned action.

The judge granted a stay of execution for the prisoner.

The company received a stay of execution on its debt payment.

Word family

  • execute
    verbB2
  • executive
    nounB2
  • executive
    adjectiveB2
  • executor
    nounC1
  • executioner
    nounC1
  • execrable
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

These words all describe making a plan or intention real. Implementation is the most technical and is widely used in business and computing — it emphasises the systematic process of putting a decision into effect. Execution overlaps with implementation but adds a focus on the quality and skill with which something is done; a plan can be implemented routinely, but when it is executed well, the manner of doing it matters. Performance is broader: it covers how well someone does a task (work performance) and how they demonstrate a skill (musical performance). Carrying out is the most everyday expression and fits informal contexts where the other three sound too formal. For example: 'The government implemented the new tax law on time.' 'The orchestra's execution of the symphony was stunning.' 'Her performance in the exam was excellent.' 'The team did a good job carrying out the instructions.'

implementationperformancecarrying out

Common collocations

Nouns

  • execution method
  • execution plan
  • execution phase
  • execution style

Phrases

  • carry out an execution
  • put to execution
  • stay of execution
  • in execution of

Prepositions

  • by
  • of

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Execution comes from the Latin verb exsequi, meaning 'to follow out' or 'to carry out to the end'. It was formed from ex- ('out') and sequi ('to follow'). The word entered English through Old French execucion in the 1300s. The earliest meaning was simply 'the act of carrying something out', such as a command or a task. By the 1500s, the word had also taken on the narrower legal meaning of 'putting a condemned person to death' — a special case of carrying out a court's sentence.