1. The act of accomplishing some aim or executing some order
   "the agency was created for the execution of the policy";
   - implementation
    
2. Unlawful premeditated killing of a human being by a human being
   "The execution of the prominent politician shocked the nation";
   - murder, slaying
    
3. The act or process of carrying out a task or function, esp. in terms of how successfully
   "The execution of the plan was flawless";
   - performance, carrying into action
    
4. (computing) the process of carrying out an instruction by a computer
   "The CPU's clock speed affects the rate of instruction execution";
   - instruction execution
    
5. (law) the completion of a legal instrument (such as a contract or deed) by signing it (and perhaps sealing and delivering it) so that it becomes legally binding and enforceable
   "The execution of instrument took place in the presence of witnesses";
   - execution of instrument
    
6. (law) a routine court order that attempts to enforce the judgment that has been granted to a plaintiff by authorizing a sheriff to carry it out
   "The creditor obtained a writ of execution to seize the debtor's assets";
   - writ of execution
    
7. Putting a condemned person to death
   "The execution of prisoners by firing squad was a controversial practice";
   - executing, capital punishment, death penalty

Derived forms: executions

Type of: action, corporal punishment, court order, enforcement, homicide, physical process, process

Part of: data processing

Encyclopedia: Execution