implement

implement — verb

1. to put a plan, decision, or system into action so that it starts being used or c

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to put a plan, decision, or system into action so that it starts being used or carried out

Example

The school board voted to implement the new reading program starting in September.

implement + concrete program/policy

Our team worked for three months to implement the new software across all offices.

implement + software/system + time frame

Common collocations
  • implement a plan
  • implement a policy
  • implement a system
  • implement changes
  • implement a strategy
  • implement a decision
  • fully implement
  • successfully implement
Synonyms
  • carry out

    less formal; common in everyday spoken and written English

  • execute

    more formal; often used in legal, military, or technical contexts

  • enforce

    focuses on making people obey a rule or law, not just starting to use it

Antonyms
  • abandon

    giving up a plan before or after trying to implement it

  • cancel

    stopping a plan before it starts

Grammar Patterns

implement + noun phrase

implement + plan / policy / system / change

Usage Note

Common in business, government, and technology contexts. Subject is usually an organisation, institution, or person in authority. Frequently paired with nouns such as 'plan', 'policy', 'system', 'strategy', or 'change'.

Common Mistakes

The company will complement a new safety policy next month.
The company will implement a new safety policy next month.
'complement' means to add something that improves; 'implement' means to put a plan into action.
We need to imply the new rules by Friday.
We need to implement the new rules by Friday.
'imply' means to suggest indirectly; 'implement' means to carry out or execute.

implement — noun