execute
EHK-sih-kyoot
Execute (verb) means to carry out or put into effect. Example: “It takes real skill to execute a difficult dance routine without mistakes.”
verb
1
To carry out or put into effect.
"It takes real skill to execute a difficult dance routine without mistakes."
"The team executed the plan perfectly."
"She executed a flawless dive off the ten-meter platform."
2
To put someone to death as a legal punishment.
"The prisoner was executed at dawn."
3
To run a computer program or command.
"Press this button to execute the script."
"The program executes each command in order, one line at a time."
"The app crashes whenever this function is executed."
How to use execute
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo carry something out — a plan, a punishment, or a piece of code.
Common pairings
execute a plan
execute a prisoner
execute a program
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- executes
- Past tense
- executed
Fill the gap
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It takes real skill to _____ a difficult dance routine without mistakes.
Etymology
From Old French executer, from Latin exsequi, "to follow through" — ex- plus sequi ("to follow").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for execute
See all rhymes for execute →Frequently asked questions
What does “execute” mean?
The word “execute” means to carry out or put into effect. In plain terms, to carry something out — a plan, a punishment, or a piece of code.
How do you pronounce “execute”?
“Execute” is pronounced EHK-sih-kyoot (/ˈɛksɪˌkjuːt/ in IPA).
How do you use “execute” in a sentence?
Here is “execute” used in a sentence: “The team executed the plan perfectly.”
What is another word for “execute”?
Words with a similar meaning to “execute” include perform, carry out and do.
What part of speech is “execute”?
“Execute” is a verb.
Where does the word “execute” come from?
The word “execute” comes from Latin. From Old French executer, from Latin exsequi, "to follow through" — ex- plus sequi ("to follow").
Is “execute” a common word?
“Execute” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “execute” have?
“Execute” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to carry out or put into effect.
What is the difference between execute and implement?
To implement is to put a plan or system into place, while to execute is to carry out or perform a specific action or task, with an emphasis on completing it. You implement a strategy by setting it up, and you execute the individual steps.
What is the difference between execute and murder?
In its legal sense, execute means to put someone to death as an official, lawful punishment ordered by the state, whereas murder is the unlawful killing of a person. The key difference is legal authority: an execution is carried out under law, while murder is a crime.
What are common collocations with execute?
Execute commonly pairs with words such as execute a plan, execute a strategy, and execute an order, and in law with execute a will or execute a contract, meaning to make it legally valid. In computing you execute a program, command, or code.
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