execute

See also: exécuté and exécute

English

Etymology

From Old French executer (French exécuter), from Latin exsecutus, past participle of exsequor, from ex- (“out”) + sequor (“to follow”).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈɛksɪˌkjuːt/
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Hyphenation: ex‧e‧cute

Verb

execute (third-person singular simple present executes, present participle executing, simple past and past participle executed)

  1. (transitive) To kill, especially as punishment for a capital crime.
    Coordinate term: murder
    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. (transitive) To carry out; to put into effect.
    Your orders have been executed, sir!
    I'll execute your orders as soon as this meeting is adjourned.
  3. (transitive) To perform.
    to execute a difficult piece of music brilliantly
    to execute a turn in ballet
  4. (transitive, law) 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.
    to execute a contract
  5. (transitive, computing) To start, launch or run
    Synonyms: start, launch, run, open
    to execute a program
  6. (intransitive, computing) To run, usually successfully.
    The program executed, but data problems were discovered.

Derived terms

Translations

Latin

Pronunciation

Participle

execūte

  1. vocative masculine singular of execūtus

Portuguese

Verb

execute

  1. inflection of executar:
    1. first/third-person singular present subjunctive
    2. third-person singular imperative

Spanish

Verb

execute

  1. inflection of executar:
    1. first/third-person singular present subjunctive
    2. third-person singular imperative
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