execute
B2Formal, technical, legal
Definition
Meaning
To carry out or put into effect a plan, order, or course of action.
To perform a task or operation, often with technical skill or precision; also, to carry out a death sentence.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb carries strong connotations of finality, authority, and technical precision. In computing, it refers to running a program or command. Its legal meaning (to put to death) is highly specific and formal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal difference in core meaning. In legal contexts, both use identically. Slight preference for 'carry out' in UK informal speech where US might use 'execute'.
Connotations
In both varieties, the computing and legal meanings are strong. The word feels more formal in everyday contexts in the UK.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in US corporate/business jargon (e.g., 'execute the strategy').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
execute [OBJ]execute [OBJ] [ADV]execute [OBJ] on behalf of [SB]have [OBJ] executedVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to execute a U-turn”
- “to be summarily executed”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To implement a strategy or plan as decided by management.
Academic
To perform a precise scientific procedure or algorithm.
Everyday
To carry out a task, often with skill (e.g., a recipe, a sports move).
Technical
To run a computer program or process; to carry out a legal death sentence.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The committee voted to execute the proposed changes next quarter.
- The barrister explained how the court would execute the judgement.
- To run the script, simply execute the command in the terminal.
American English
- The team needs to execute the marketing plan flawlessly.
- The state has not executed a prisoner in over a decade.
- Double-click the icon to execute the application.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard) N/A
American English
- (Not standard) N/A
adjective
British English
- (Rare as adjective) The executive committee holds execute authority.
American English
- (Rare as adjective) The CEO has execute power over the budget.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The chef will execute a difficult recipe.
- The player executed a perfect pass.
- Soldiers must execute orders without question.
- The software executes the calculations very quickly.
- The board approved the strategy, leaving management to execute it.
- The court issued a warrant to execute the search.
- The artist's ability to execute her vision was unparalleled.
- The treaty provisions were duly executed by the member states.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a diligent EXECutive who must EXECUTE all the decisions.
Conceptual Metaphor
EXECUTION IS A JOURNEY COMPLETED (e.g., 'carry out', 'see through'); EXECUTION IS PRECISE CONSTRUCTION (e.g., 'implement', 'engineer').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'экзаменовать' (to examine). The Russian 'исполнить' is a closer match for 'perform' but lacks the formal/legal force. The computing term is 'выполнить'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'execute' with 'exercise'. Using 'execute' for simple tasks where 'do' is better. Incorrect: 'I executed my homework.' Correct: 'I did my homework.'
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'execute' have a fundamentally different meaning?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, that is one specific legal meaning. The primary meaning is to carry out a plan or task. The computing meaning (to run a program) is very common.
'Implement' focuses on putting a system or plan into operation. 'Execute' focuses on the act of carrying it out, often with more emphasis on the precision and finality of the action.
Yes, especially in sports, business, and arts. 'She executed the dive perfectly' or 'The team executed the project brilliantly' are positive.
'Execution' (e.g., the execution of a plan). The person who executes can be an 'executor' (legal context) or more generally an 'executive'.