to carry out; accomplish: to execute a plan or order.
to perform or do:to execute a maneuver; to execute a gymnastic feat.
to inflict capital punishment on; put to death according to law.
to murder; assassinate.
to produce in accordance with a plan or design: a painting executed by an unknown artist.
to perform or play (a piece of music).
Law.
to give effect or force to (a law, decree, judicial sentence, etc.).
to carry out the terms of (a will).
to transact or carry through (a contract, mortgage, etc.) in the manner prescribed by law; complete and give validity to (a legal instrument) by fulfilling the legal requirements, as by signing or sealing.
Computers. to run (a program or routine) or carry out (an instruction in a program).
verb (used without object),ex·e·cut·ed,ex·e·cut·ing.
to perform or accomplish something, as an assigned task.
Sports. to perform properly the fundamental moves or mechanics of a sport, game, position, or particular play; show smoothness in necessary skills: We just didn't execute defensively.
Origin of execute
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English executen, from Old French executer, from Medieval Latin execūtāre, derivative of Latin execūtus, past participle of ex(s)equī “to follow up, carry out (punishment), execute”; see ex-1, sequence
SYNONYMS FOR execute
1 achieve, complete, finish, consummate.
7a enforce, administer.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR execute ON THESAURUS.COM
synonym study for execute
2. See perform. 3. See kill1.
OTHER WORDS FROM execute
ex·e·cut·a·ble,adjectiveex·e·cut·er,nounnon·ex·e·cut·a·ble,adjectiveout·ex·e·cute,verb (used with object),out·ex·e·cut·ed,out·ex·e·cut·ing.
pre·ex·e·cute,verb (used with object),pre·ex·e·cut·ed,pre·ex·e·cut·ing.re·ex·e·cute,verb (used with object),re·ex·e·cut·ed,re·ex·e·cut·ing.un·ex·e·cut·a·ble,adjectiveun·ex·e·cut·ed,adjectiveun·ex·e·cut·ing,adjectivewell-ex·e·cut·ed,adjective
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH execute
kill1, execute , murder (see synonym study at kill1)