(executes, executing, executed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
To execute someone means to kill them as a punishment for a serious crime.
He was executed by lethal injection earlier today...
One group claimed to have executed the American hostage...
This boy's father had been executed for conspiring against the throne.
VERB: be V-ed, V n, be V-ed for n/-ing
• execution (executions)
Execution by lethal injection is scheduled for July 30th.
N-VAR
2.
If you execute a plan, you carry it out. (FORMAL)
We are going to execute our campaign plan to the letter.
VERB: V n
• execution
US forces are fully prepared for the execution of any action once the order is given by the president.
N-UNCOUNT
3.
If you execute a difficult action or movement, you successfully perform it.
The landing was skilfully executed.
VERB: V n
4.
When someone executes a work of art, they make or produce it, using an idea as a basis.
Morris executed a suite of twelve drawings in 1978...
A well-executed shot of a tall ship is a joy to behold.
VERB: V n, V-ed
• execution
The ideas in the show's presentation were good, but failed in execution.
N-UNCOUNT