execution — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The act, manner or style of executing (actions, maneuvers, performances).

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Already the poor man saw himself crowned by the might of his arm Emperor of Trebizond at least; and so, led away by the intense enjoyment he found in these pleasant fancies, he set himself forthwith to put his scheme into execution.

2. The state of being accomplished.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   The mission's successful execution lifted the troops' morale.

3. The act of putting to death or being put to death as a penalty, or actions so associated.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Efforts to unionize were routinely met with clubbings, shootings, jailings, blacklistings and executions, perpetrated not only by well-armed legions of company goons, but also by police officers, deputies, National Guardsmen and even regular soldiers.

4. The carrying into effect of a court judgment, or of a will.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

5. Specifically, the seizure of a debtor's goods or property in default of payment.

   Usage

   • Archaic
   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   There are two executions in the house, one for sixteen hundred, the other for two thousand three hundred pounds.

6. The formal process by which a contract is made valid and put into binding effect.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

7. The carrying out of an instruction, program or program segment by a computer.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   The entire machine slowed down during the execution of the virus checker.

Noun

1. putting a condemned person to death

   Synonyms

   executingcapital punishmentdeath penalty

   Broader terms

   corporal punishment

2. the act of performing; of doing something successfully; using knowledge as distinguished from merely possessing it

   Synonyms

   performancecarrying outcarrying into action

   Broader terms

   action

   Examples

   they criticized his performance as mayor

   experience generally improves performance

3. (computer science) the process of carrying out an instruction by a computer

   Synonyms

   instruction execution

   Broader terms

   processphysical process

4. (law) the completion of a legal instrument (such as a contract or deed) by signing it (and perhaps sealing and delivering it) so that it becomes legally binding and enforceable

   Synonyms

   execution of instrument

   Broader terms

   subscription

5. a routine court order that attempts to enforce the judgment that has been granted to a plaintiff by authorizing a sheriff to carry it out

   Synonyms

   writ of execution

   Broader terms

   court order

6. the act of accomplishing some aim or executing some order

   Synonyms

   implementationcarrying out

   Broader terms

   enforcement

   Examples

   the agency was created for the implementation of the policy

7. unlawful premeditated killing of a human being by a human being

   Synonyms

   murderslaying

   Broader terms

   homicide