execute

/ˈeksɪkjuːt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈeksɪkjuːt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈek-si-ˌkyüt/ (ame, mw)

execute — 動詞

  • 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

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

處決

依法處死犯人

to take a person's life because a court has officially ordered that punishment

例句

The court sentenced Jabari to death, and he was executed three weeks later.

法院判處 Jabari 死刑，三週後他被處決了。

passive: be executed by legal order

Several countries have stopped executing prisoners and use life sentences instead.

好幾個國家已經停止處決囚犯，改判終身監禁。

collocation: executing prisoners

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • pardon

    to officially forgive someone and stop their punishment

  • reprieve

    to delay or cancel a planned execution

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

❌The gang executed their enemy in a street fight.
✅The gang murdered their enemy in a street fight.
💡'execute' implies legal authority; for illegal killing use 'murder' or 'kill'.
❌The soldier was executed in battle.
✅The soldier was killed in battle.
💡'execute' means a planned legal punishment, not death during combat.

2. to carry out a plan, order, or piece of work, making sure that each step or acti

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

實行

按照計畫或指令完成任務

to carry out a plan, order, or piece of work, making sure that each step or action is completed

例句

The contractor executed the building plans exactly as the architect had drawn them.

承包商完全按照建築師的設計圖來實行建築計畫。

collocation: execute a plan

Eli executed a perfect dive from the ten-metre platform during the competition.

Eli 在比賽中從十公尺跳台完美地完成了一個跳水動作。

collocation: execute a movement or skill

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • abandon

    to stop working on a plan before it is done

  • neglect

    to fail to carry out a duty or task

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

❌I executed my homework last night.
✅I did my homework last night.
💡'execute' sounds too formal for everyday tasks; use 'do' or 'complete'.
❌The chef executed a soup for lunch.
✅The chef prepared a soup for lunch.
💡'execute' fits skilled performances (a dive, a piece of music) but not routine cooking.

3. to make a legal document valid by signing it or to carry out the instructions wr

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

履行

按法律文件指示處理

to make a legal document valid by signing it or to carry out the instructions written in one, such as a will or contract

例句

Élise executed Mrs. Chen's will six months after her death.

Élise 在陳太太過世六個月後履行了她的遺囑。

collocation: execute a will

Both parties executed the contract in the presence of a notary public.

雙方在公證人面前履行了合約簽署程序。

collocation: execute a contract with signature

同義詞
  • fulfil

    broader meaning; can apply to any promise or requirement, not just legal ones

  • formalise

    focuses on making something official and legally binding

反義詞
  • 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

❌I executed my grandmother's letter.
✅I executed my grandmother's will.
💡'execute' in this sense only applies to legal documents, not personal letters.

4. to make a computer run a program, carry out a command, or process a set of instr

4.動詞及物B2
釋義

執行程式

使電腦執行指令或程式

to make a computer run a program, carry out a command, or process a set of instructions

例句

Salma executed the Python script and checked the terminal for error messages.

Salma 執行了 Python 腳本，然後檢查終端機上的錯誤訊息。

collocation: execute a script

The server automatically executes a full system backup every night at midnight.

伺服器每天午夜自動執行完整的系統備份。

collocation: execute a backup

同義詞
  • run

    less formal; the everyday alternative to 'execute' in computing contexts

  • launch

    focuses on starting a program, not necessarily completing its tasks

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.

常見錯誤

❌I executed the computer.
✅I executed the program on the computer.
💡'execute' takes the program or command as the object, not the machine.