implement

[ noun im-pluh-muhnt; verb im-pluh-ment, -muhnt ]

noun

1. any article used in some activity, especially an instrument, tool, or utensil:

   agricultural implements.

2. an article of equipment, as household furniture, clothing, ecclesiastical vestments, or the like.
3. a means; agent:

   human beings as an implement of divine plan.

verb (used with object)

1. to fulfill; perform; carry out:

   Once in office, he failed to implement his campaign promises.

2. to put into effect according to or by means of a definite plan or procedure.
3. Computers. to realize or instantiate (an element in a program), often under certain conditions as specified by the software involved.
4. to fill out or supplement.
5. to provide with implements.

implement

noun

1. a piece of equipment; tool or utensil

   gardening implements

2. something used to achieve a purpose; agent

verb

1. to carry out; put into action; perform

   to implement a plan

2. archaic.
   to complete, satisfy, or fulfil

Derived Forms

• ˌimplemenˈtation, noun
• ˌimpleˈmental, adjective
• ˈimpleˌmenter, noun

Other Words From

• im·ple·ment·a·ble adjective
• im·ple·men·tal adjective
• im·ple·men·ta·tion [im-pl, uh, -m, uh, n-, tey, -sh, uh, n, ‑men‑] noun
• im·ple·ment·er im·ple·men·tor noun
• non·im·ple·ment noun
• non·im·ple·men·tal adjective
• re·im·ple·ment verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of implement¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Late Latin implēmentum “a filling up,” equivalent to Latin implē(re) “to fill up” ( im- im- ¹ + plēre “to fill” ) + -mentum -ment

Word History and Origins

Origin of implement¹

C17: from Late Latin implēmentum, literally: a filling up, from Latin implēre to fill up, satisfy, fulfil

Example Sentences

But much depends on how much profit margin they have, especially if high tariffs are implemented on all imported goods, not just ones from China.

From Salon

Further work is needed to investigate things needed to implement the proposed system but have yet to be fully explored.

From Science Daily

"Our insight provides the need to implement a new town movement program to extend the urban transformation project for the Healthy New Town to other old new towns in East Asia."

From Science Daily

That’s the conclusion of federal judges who reviewed the idea the last time it was implemented, during the first Trump term.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite requests from MPs, the government did not disclose its internal assessment of the impact of the policy when a law to implement it went through Parliament.

From BBC

Related Words

• appliance
• gadget
• instrument
• utensil

When To Use

What are other ways to say implement?

The word implement broadly refers to any article used in some activity. When should you use this noun over tool, instrument, or utensil? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.