/ ˌeksɪˈkjuːʃn; NAmE / noun
1.
[ U , C ] the act of killing sb, especially as a legal punishment :
He faced execution by hanging for murder.
Over 200 executions were carried out last year.
2.
[ U ] ( formal ) the act of doing a piece of work, performing a duty, or putting a plan into action :
He had failed in the execution of his duty.
The idea was good, but the execution was poor.
3.
[ U ] ( formal ) skill in performing or making sth, such as a piece of music or work of art :
Her execution of the piano piece was perfect.
4.
[ U ] ( law ) the act of following the instructions in a legal document, especially those in sb's will
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IDIOMS
see stay noun
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : via Old French from Latin executio(n-) , from exsequi follow up, punish, from ex- out + sequi follow.