execute
/ˈeksɪkjuːt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈeksɪkjuːt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈek-si-ˌkyüt/ (ame, mw)
execute — verb
- executepresent simple I / you / we / they
- executeshe / she / it
- executedpast simple
- executing-ing form
1. to take a person's life because a court has officially ordered that punishment
to take a person's life because a court has officially ordered that punishment
The court sentenced Jabari to death, and he was executed three weeks later.
passive: be executed by legal order
Several countries have stopped executing prisoners and use life sentences instead.
collocation: executing prisoners
The rebel leader was executed by firing squad at dawn in the prison yard.
The governor refused to execute anyone who had been sentenced as a teenager.
- put to death
more neutral euphemism; focuses on the act rather than the legal process
- sentence to death
refers only to the court's decision, not the actual killing
文法句型
execute + person
be executed by [method]
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive voice (be executed). The subject performing the killing is typically a government, court, or legal authority, not a private individual.
常見錯誤
2. to carry out a plan, order, or piece of work, making sure that each step or acti
to carry out a plan, order, or piece of work, making sure that each step or action is completed
The contractor executed the building plans exactly as the architect had drawn them.
collocation: execute a plan
Eli executed a perfect dive from the ten-metre platform during the competition.
collocation: execute a movement or skill
Amani asked her assistant to execute the new marketing strategy before the product launch.
The team executed the evacuation procedure with speed and calm under pressure.
- carry out
less formal; works for plans, orders, and tasks
- perform
suggests a display of skill or effort; common for movements and duties
- implement
focuses on putting a plan or policy into action
- accomplish
emphasises successful completion of a goal
文法句型
execute + plan/order/task/skill
execute + strategy
用法筆記
More formal than 'do' or 'carry out'. Common in professional contexts to emphasise careful, complete performance. The object can be a plan, order, task, movement, or skill.
常見錯誤
3. to make a legal document valid by signing it or to carry out the instructions wr
to make a legal document valid by signing it or to carry out the instructions written in one, such as a will or contract
Élise executed Mrs. Chen's will six months after her death.
collocation: execute a will
Both parties executed the contract in the presence of a notary public.
collocation: execute a contract with signature
Indra executed the transfer of funds exactly as the court had ordered.
The bank executed the property deed and handed the keys to the new owner.
- invalidate
to make a document legally void or unenforceable
文法句型
execute + legal document (will/contract/deed)
用法筆記
The object is always a legal document (will, contract, deed) or a legally instructed action (transfer of money, sale of property). Less common in everyday speech than the other senses.
常見錯誤
4. to make a computer run a program, carry out a command, or process a set of instr
to make a computer run a program, carry out a command, or process a set of instructions
Salma executed the Python script and checked the terminal for error messages.
collocation: execute a script
The server automatically executes a full system backup every night at midnight.
collocation: execute a backup
This command must be executed with administrator privileges to work correctly.
Dewi wrote a short program that executes a search through thousands of files.
文法句型
execute + program/command/script
execute + code
用法筆記
The subject is usually a person running a program or the computer system itself. Common in technical writing, programming tutorials, and system administration contexts.