execution

English Online Dictionary. What means execution‎? What does execution mean?

English

Etymology

From Old French execution (c.1360), from Latin exsecutiō, an agent noun from exsequor (“to follow out”), from ex (“out”) + sequor (“follow”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌɛk.sɪˈkjuː.ʃən/, (nonstandard) /ˌɛɡ.zɪˈkjuː.ʃən/

Noun

execution (countable and uncountable, plural executions)

1. The act, manner or style of executing (actions, maneuvers, performances).
2. The state of being accomplished.

   Coordinate term: realization

3. The act of putting to death or being put to death as a penalty, or actions so associated.
4. (law) The carrying into effect of a court judgment, or of a will.
5. (now rare) Specifically, the seizure of a debtor's goods or property in default of payment.
6. (law) The formal process by which a contract is made valid and put into binding effect.
7. (computing) The carrying out of an instruction, program or program segment by a computer.

   The entire machine slowed down during the execution of the virus checker.

Hyponyms

• (penalty of death): crucifixion, electrocution, hanging, lethal injection

Derived terms

Related terms

• execute
• executioner
• executive
• executor

Translations

Further reading

• “execution”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
• “execution”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.

Middle French

Etymology

From Latin execūtiō, an agent noun from exsequor (“follow out”), itself from ex + sequor (“follow”).

Noun

execution f (plural executions)

1. execution (act of putting to death or being put to death as a penalty, or actions so associated)

Descendants

• French exécution

Old French

Etymology

From Latin execūtiō, an agent noun from exsequor (“follow out”), itself from ex + sequor (“follow”).

Noun

execution oblique singular, f (oblique plural executions, nominative singular execution, nominative plural executions)

1. execution (act of putting to death or being put to death as a penalty, or actions so associated)

Descendants

• → English: execution
• French exécution