execution
gb/ˌɛksɪkjˈuʃən/ us/ˌɛksɪkjˈuʃən/
B1
English
~ 3500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
action
1
Carrying out a plan or order
The act of doing something that was planned or ordered.
Usage pattern:
the execution of [a plan/task/order]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'execution' with 'explanation' due to similar sound.
Synonyms
implementation (More common in business and technical contexts for putting plans into action.)
Antonyms
abandonment (Refers to stopping or not completing a plan or task.)
Collocations
flawless execution
|execution of the plan
|execution strategy
|project execution
Themes
business
|law
|daily life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The execution of the marketing plan took several months.
- She was praised for her precise execution of the dance routine.
- The project's success depended on careful execution of each step.
Learner examples
- The execution of the plan was perfect.
- He worked hard on the execution of the game.
- Good execution is important for success.
Noun
B2
action
2
Killing as a legal punishment
Killing someone as a punishment decided by a court.
Usage pattern:
the execution of [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with 'assassination', which is an illegal killing, not a legal punishment.
Synonyms
capital punishment (Formal term for the legal killing of someone as a penalty.)
Antonyms
pardon (Official forgiveness that removes punishment, including death penalty.)
Collocations
public execution
|execution by hanging
|stay of execution
Themes
law
|crime
|politics
Examples
- The execution was carried out at dawn.
- Many people protested against the execution of the prisoner.
- The governor granted a stay of execution.
Learner examples
- The man faced execution for his crime.
- The execution happened in the morning.
- Some countries do not allow execution.
Noun
technical
B2
action
3
Running a computer program or command
When a computer does what a program tells it to do.
Usage pattern:
execution of [a program/command]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'installation', which means putting software onto a device, not running it.
Synonyms
processing (General term for handling data, not limited to program start-to-finish.)
Antonyms
termination (Ending a program before or after its execution.)
Collocations
code execution
|execution time
|parallel execution
Themes
technology
|computing
|science
Examples
- The software stops execution if it encounters an error.
- Execution time depends on the complexity of the code.
- They optimized the program for faster execution.
Learner examples
- The program started its execution.
- Execution takes only a few seconds.
- An error stopped the execution.
Grammar
Dictionary form
execution
IPA
GB/ˌɛksɪkjˈuʃən/
US/ˌɛksɪkjˈuʃən/
Syllables & stress
ex - e - cu - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (cu)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: execution
- Plural: execution, executions
Word family
Forms
executions
noun
Core family
execute
verb B2
Related words
executive
noun B1
executioner
noun B2
Advanced or less common
executor
noun
executable
adjective
Expressions
flawless execution
1/flˈɔləs ˌɛksɪkjˈuʃən/
fixed phrase
Perfect performance without mistakes
Doing something perfectly with no mistakes.
Examples
- The chef's flawless execution impressed the judges.
- Flawless execution is key to winning in sports.
poor execution
1/pˈʊɹ ˌɛksɪkjˈuʃən/
fixed phrase
Bad performance with mistakes
Doing something badly with mistakes or low quality.
Examples
- The project failed due to poor execution.
- Her speech had good ideas but poor execution.
stay of execution
1/stˈeɪ əv ˌɛksɪkjˈuʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
Official delay of punishment
A legal order that stops or delays a punishment, usually death, from happening.
Examples
- The court granted a stay of execution hours before the planned hanging.
- His lawyer requested a stay of execution to review new evidence.