execution

[ ek-si-kyoo-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or process of executing.
2. the state or fact of being executed.
3. the infliction of capital punishment or, formerly, of any legal punishment.
4. the process of performing a judgment or sentence of a court:

   The judge stayed execution of the sentence pending appeal.

5. a mode or style of performance; technical skill, as in music:

   The pianist's execution of the sonata was consummate.

6. effective, usually destructive action, or the result attained by it (usually preceded by do ):

   The grenades did rapid execution.

7. Law. a judicial writ directing the enforcement of a judgment.
8. Computers. the act of running, or the results of having run, a program or routine, or the performance of an instruction.

execution

/ ˌɛksɪˈkjuːʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of executing
2. the carrying out or undergoing of a sentence of death
3. the style or manner in which something is accomplished or performed; technique

   as a pianist his execution is poor

4. 1. the enforcement of the judgment of a court of law
   2. the writ ordering such enforcement

Other Words From

• exe·cution·al adjective
• nonex·e·cution noun
• preex·e·cution noun
• reex·e·cution noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of execution¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English execucioun, from Latin ex(s)ecūtiōn-, stem of ex(s)ecūtiō “accomplishment, performance”; equivalent to execute + -ion

Example Sentences

That new execution date can not be less than 90 days out from the day of the request.

From Salon

Charles Manson was behind a series of murders that terrorized Southern California in the late 1960s, but the killings he masterminded with his famous "family" might not be the only executions he helped carry out.

From Salon

A Texas Supreme Court has said the execution of Robert Roberson - a Texas man who was convicted of killing his two-year-old daughter - can proceed.

From BBC

"You have to push yourself to where the margins are so small and you're right on the limit of execution," he said.

From BBC

Even when asked to complete devastating tasks, like facilitating the executions of close friends, they don’t flinch.

From Los Angeles Times