# execution
## 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: /ˌɛk.sɪˈkjuː.ʃən/, (nonstandard) /ˌɛɡ.zɪˈkjuː.ʃən/
* Audio (US):(file)

### Noun

execution (countable and uncountable, plural executions)
* The act, manner or style of executing (actions, maneuvers, performances).
** 1885, John Ormsby, chapter 1, in Don Quixote‎, volume 1, translation of original by Miguel de Cervantes:Already the poor man saw himself crowned by the might of his arm Emperor of Trebizond at least; and so, led away by the intense enjoyment he found in these pleasant fancies, he set himself forthwith to put his scheme into execution.
* The state of being accomplished.
    Coordinate term: realization
    The mission's successful execution lifted the troops' morale.
* The act of putting to death or being put to death as a penalty, or actions so associated.
* (law) The carrying into effect of a court judgment, or of a will.
* (now rare) Specifically, the seizure of a debtor's goods or property in default of payment.
** 1792, Charlotte Smith, Desmond, Broadview, published 2001, page 166:There are two executions in the house, one for sixteen hundred, the other for two thousand three hundred pounds.
* (law) The formal process by which a contract is made valid and put into binding effect.
* (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

* executional
* executionary
* execution cycle
* executionism
* executionist
* execution-style
* execution time
* execution unit
* inexecution
* malexecution
* misexecution
* nonexecution
* postexecution
* posthumous execution
* summary execution
* unexecution
* writ of execution

#### Related terms

* execute
* executioner
* executive
* executor

#### Translations

    The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

### Further reading

* “execution”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
* William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin E[li] Smith, editors (1911), “execution”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC.

## Middle French
### Etymology

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

### Noun

execution f (plural executions)
* 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)
* execution (act of putting to death or being put to death as a penalty, or actions so associated)

#### Descendants

* → English: execution
* French exécution