execution

Pronunciation: /ˌɛk.sɪˈkjuː.ʃən/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun putting a condemned person to death
  2. noun the act of performing; of doing something successfully; using knowledge as distinguished from merely possessing it
  3. noun (computer science) the process of carrying out an instruction by a computer

Etymology

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

In classic literature

Synonyms

executing, capital punishment, death penalty

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
corporal punishment
Narrower (hyponyms)
hanging, electrocution, decapitation, burning, crucifixion

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