- 1
To kill, especially as punishment for a capital crime.transitive
- There are certain states where it is lawful to execute prisoners convicted of certain crimes.
- According to international treaties, it is illegal to execute prisoners of war.
- 2
To carry out; to put into effect.transitive
- Your orders have been executed, sir!
- I'll execute your orders as soon as this meeting is adjourned.
- 3
To perform.transitive
- to execute a difficult piece of music brilliantly
- to execute a turn in ballet
- 4
To carry out, to perform an act; to put into effect or cause to become legally binding or valid (as a contract) by so doing.transitive
- to execute a contract
- 5
To start, launch, or run.transitive
- to execute a program
- 6
To run, usually successfully.intransitive
- The program executed, but data problems were discovered.
syn. perform · carry out · do