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)
execute a contract
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
7
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
1
: 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
2
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
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
Iranian authorities arrested scores and executed at least 10 in the aftermath of the war.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 7 Jan. 2026
Just before halftime in Game 1, the Chiefs perfectly executed a fire-drill field goal attempt with no timeouts left, as kicker Harrison Butker rushed onto the field to knock through a 59-yard field goal just before time expired.
—Jesse Newell, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Currently, there are no details on the extent of land burned or the size of the crew involved in executing the prescribed fire.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 Jan. 2026
His name has been associated with police operations carried out in the context of protests, detentions, and crowd-control actions executed by the PNB, a force that since its creation has played a central role in repressing political dissent.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for execute
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Cite this Entry
“Execute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/execute. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Kids 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
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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