execute
verb
ex·e·cute
ˈek-si-ˌkyüt 
executed; executing; executes
1
: to carry (something) out fully : to put (something) completely into effect
execute a command
executed the plan
The pilot executed an emergency landing.
2
: to do what is provided or required by (something)
The police executed the search warrant.
3
: to put (someone) to death especially in compliance with a legal sentence
4
: to make or produce (something, such as a work of art) especially by carrying out a design
a painting executed in bright colors
5
: to perform what is required to give validity to (something)
execute a deed
6
: perform
execute a piece of music
The Owls scored on a trick play touchdown and executed some impeccable defense …—
Sean Farrell
Sean Farrell7
computing
: to cause a system to perform the tasks indicated by (encoded instructions)
The exploits allowed the attackers to execute malicious code directly on the web server.—Dan Goodin
Dan Goodin1
: to perform properly or skillfully the fundamentals of a sport or of a particular play
Before the game, [NBA Coach Taylor] Jenkins told his players they needed to be better in the first three quarters and execute better in the last.—Terry Davis
Terry Davis2
of computer code
: to cause a system to perform indicated tasks
When the document is opened …, the hidden code executes and exploits a vulnerability to download malware onto the user's PC.—Software World
Software World
Examples of execute in a Sentence
He was captured, tried, and executed for murder.
They carefully executed the plan.
The pilot executed an emergency landing.
The quarterback executed the play perfectly.
execute the provisions of the will
Recent Examples on the Web
The period saw soldiers and paramilitary forces execute Mayan authorities; tens of thousands of people were forcibly disappeared, and entire villages were burned to the ground.
—Tara John, CNN, 13 Apr. 2024
Sometime that day, law enforcement execute a search warrant at Anderson’s home.
—Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2024
Records from the weeks leading up to the day Méndez executed the agreement show a steady stream of text communications between the city attorney and lobbyist Melissa Tapanes, who represented developer Michael Stern.
—Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
Walker would go on to rule as Nicaragua's president for a year but was ousted in 1857 and executed in Honduras.
—The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
After months of planning, federal officials say, 18-year-old Alexander Scott Mercurio was just a few days away from executing an attack on American soil in the name of the Islamic State militant group.
—Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
Some stage business, including a crucial moment of violence between Juicy and Larry, was sloppily executed.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Each of those three pillars come back to fairness and equity, and each, when executed correctly, can make workplaces fairer places to be.
—Jane Thier, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2024
Investigators executed a search warrant in late March at a storage unit after getting a tip and found Nike shoes, clothes, suitcases, backpacks and other products, deputies said in a social media post.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 1 Apr. 2024
Tara John, CNN, 13 Apr. 2024
Sometime that day, law enforcement execute a search warrant at Anderson’s home.
—Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2024
Records from the weeks leading up to the day Méndez executed the agreement show a steady stream of text communications between the city attorney and lobbyist Melissa Tapanes, who represented developer Michael Stern.
—Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
Walker would go on to rule as Nicaragua's president for a year but was ousted in 1857 and executed in Honduras.
—The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
After months of planning, federal officials say, 18-year-old Alexander Scott Mercurio was just a few days away from executing an attack on American soil in the name of the Islamic State militant group.
—Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
Some stage business, including a crucial moment of violence between Juicy and Larry, was sloppily executed.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Each of those three pillars come back to fairness and equity, and each, when executed correctly, can make workplaces fairer places to be.
—Jane Thier, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2024
Investigators executed a search warrant in late March at a storage unit after getting a tip and found Nike shoes, clothes, suitcases, backpacks and other products, deputies said in a social media post.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 1 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'execute.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near execute
Cite this Entry
“Execute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/execute. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
execute
verb
ex·e·cute
ˈek-sə-ˌkyüt
executed; executing
Legal Definition
execute
transitive verb
ex·e·cute
ˈek-si-ˌkyüt
executed; executing
1
: perform: as
a
: to carry out fully
includes not only executed violence, but also threatened violence—Louisiana Civil Code
Louisiana Civil Code
b
: to do what is provided or required by
execute a contract
execute a search warrant
c
: to deem (a use in property) to confer full seisin in a cestui que use by operation of the Statute of Uses
2
: to perform what is required to give validity to
especially
: to complete (as by signing and delivering) in proper form
execute a note
execute a deed
3
: to put to death in compliance with a judicial death sentence
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