execute Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb kill as a means of socially sanctioned punishment
    put to death.
    • In some states, criminals are executed
  2. verb murder in a planned fashion
    • The Mafioso who collaborated with the police was executed
  3. verb put in effect
    fulfil; accomplish; carry out; carry through; action; fulfill.
    • carry out a task
    • execute the decision of the people
    • He actioned the operation
  4. verb carry out the legalities of
    • execute a will or a deed
  5. verb carry out a process or program, as on a computer or a machine
    run.
    • Run the dishwasher
    • run a new program on the Mac
    • the computer executed the instruction
  6. verb carry out or perform an action
    perform; do.
    • John did the painting, the weeding, and he cleaned out the gutters
    • the skater executed a triple pirouette
    • she did a little dance
  7. verb sign in the presence of witnesses
    • The President executed the treaty

WordNet

Ex"e*cute transitive verb
Etymology
F. exécuter, L. executus, exsecutus, p. p. of exequi to follow to the end, pursue; ex out + sequi to follow. See Second, Sue to follow up, and cf. Exequy.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Executed ; present participle & verbal noun Executing
Definitions
  1. To follow out or through to the end; to carry out into complete effect; to complete; to finish; to effect; to perform;
    Why delays His hand to execute what his decree Fixed on this day? Milton.
  2. To complete, as a legal instrument; to perform what is required to give validity to, as by signing and perhaps sealing and delivering; as, to execute a deed, lease, mortgage, will, etc.
  3. To give effect to; to do what is provided or required by; to perform the requirements or stimulations of; as, to execute a decree, judgment, writ, or process.
  4. To infect capital punishment on; to put to death in conformity to a legal sentence; as, to execute a traitor.
  5. Too put to death illegally; to kill. Obs. Shak.
  6. (Mus.) To perform, as a piece of music, either on an instrument or with the voice; as, to execute a difficult part brilliantly. Syn. -- To accomplish; effect; fulfill; achieve; consummate; finish; complete. See Accomplish.
Ex"e*cute intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To do one's work; to act one's part of purpose. R. Hayward.
  2. To perform musically.

Webster 1913