implementation

implementation — noun

1. the process of putting a decision, plan, or system into actual use so that it st

1.nounB2
Definition

the process of putting a decision, plan, or system into actual use so that it starts working in practice.

Example

The company’s software implementation took six months and cost two million dollars.

compound noun: software implementation

Niran led the implementation of a new recycling program at his school.

collocation: led the implementation of

Common collocations
  • implementation + of + [plan / policy / system / strategy]
  • successful implementation
  • full implementation
  • smooth implementation
  • implementation phase
  • implementation plan
  • implementation process
Synonyms
  • execution

    narrower than implementation; focuses on the actual carrying out of specific tasks or steps, whereas implementation covers the entire process including preparation and rollout.

  • application

    common in academic and scientific contexts; emphasises putting theory, knowledge, or a method into practical use.

  • enactment

    formal and legal; specifically refers to a law, regulation, or official policy being formally put into effect by a governing body.

Antonyms
  • abandonment

    the act of giving up on a plan or system before or during its implementation.

  • cancellation

    the decision to stop a plan before it is put into action.

Grammar Patterns

implementation + of + noun phrase

Usage Note

Frequently used in formal professional contexts such as business, government, and technology. Typically uncountable; countable use (e.g., 'an implementation of the system') is mainly restricted to technical computing contexts.

Common Mistakes

The implementation of the new policy will be execute next month.
The implementation of the new policy will be completed next month.
'implementation' is a noun and cannot take a verb form; use a past participle like 'completed' or 'carried out.'
We need to make an implementation of the new system.
We need to implement the new system.
the verb 'implement' is simpler and more direct than the wordy noun phrase 'make an implementation of.'
The implementation of this coffee machine is very easy.
Setting up this coffee machine is very easy.
'implementation' refers to putting a plan or system into effect, not operating or installing physical equipment.

Word family

  • implement
    verbB2
  • implementable
    adjectiveC1
  • implemented
    adjectiveB2
  • implementing
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe putting something into effect, but they differ in scope and context. Implementation is the broadest term, covering the entire process from preparation to rollout of a plan, policy, or system. Execution is narrower—it focuses on the hands-on carrying out of specific tasks or steps within an existing framework (e.g., 'the execution of a marketing campaign'). Application is common in academic, scientific, and technical contexts; it means putting a theory, principle, or method into practical use (e.g., 'the application of machine learning to medical diagnosis'). Enactment is the most formal and legal—it refers specifically to a law, regulation, or official policy being formally passed and put into force by a government or authority. In everyday professional language, implementation is the safest choice when referring to the whole journey from decision to operation. For example: 'The company hired a consultant to oversee the implementation of the new payroll system.' By contrast, you would say 'The enactment of the new tax law took effect in January.'

implementation ↗execution ↗application ↗enactment

Common collocations

Nouns

  • policy implementation
  • system implementation
  • project implementation
  • software implementation
  • implementation plan
  • implementation strategy

Phrases

  • implementation phase
  • implementation process
  • implementation details
  • implementation timeline
  • in the implementation of

Prepositions

  • implementation of
  • implementation in
  • implementation by

Etymology

LatinLate LatinEnglish

Implementation comes from the verb implement, which entered English in the 15th century from Late Latin implementum, meaning 'a filling up' or 'a thing that fills.' The Latin verb implēre (to fill up) is formed from in- ('in') + plēre ('to fill'). The original English sense of implement was 'to fill up' or 'to complete.' By the 19th century, the verb had developed the modern meaning 'to carry out' or 'to put into effect,' and the noun implementation followed naturally to name that process.