implement

Verb: /ˌɪmpləˈmɛnt/, Noun: /ˈɪmpləmənt/ Formal / Neutral

Say it: Verb: im-pluh-MENT, Noun: IM-pluh-munt

1. verb To put a decision, plan, or agreement into effect.
The city council voted to implement a new recycling program.
2. noun A tool, utensil, or other piece of equipment used for a particular purpose.
The museum displayed a collection of ancient farming implements.

📖 Seen in the wild

The city council voted to implement the new recycling program next month.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ implement in a sentence

It's a great idea, but it will be difficult to implement without more funding.
The IT department will implement the software update over the weekend.
He kept his writing implements neatly arranged on the antique desk.
The report outlined several key recommendations, but few were ever implemented.
A simple spade is one of the most useful implements in the garden.
The new security protocols have been implemented across the entire network.
Despite the treaty, both sides failed to implement a lasting ceasefire.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

execute apply carry out enact fulfill realize tool utensil

execute · implies carrying out a plan with precision and authority.

apply · suggests putting something, like a theory or rule, to practical use.

carry out · a more common and neutral phrasal verb with the same core meaning.

enact · often used specifically for making laws or official decrees effective.

Opposites: abandon, cancel, ignore, scrap, shelve

🌱 Where it comes from

The word traces back to the Latin verb 'implēre', meaning 'to fill up' or 'to complete'. It entered English in the 15th century as a noun for items that 'fill' a house, like tools or furnishings. The verb sense, meaning to carry out a plan, is a more recent development from the 19th century, evolving from the idea of providing the necessary tools to get a job done.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

implement a planimplement a policyfully implementsuccessfully implementa farming implementa writing implement

'Implement' as a verb is a staple of formal, corporate, and bureaucratic language. While perfectly correct, in casual conversation it can sound a bit stiff; consider using 'carry out', 'do', or 'put in place' instead. The noun form is less common in everyday speech, where 'tool' or a more specific word like 'pen' or 'shovel' is usually preferred.

Word family: implementation, implementer

💬 Quick answers

What does 'implement' mean?

As a verb, it means to put a plan or decision into action. As a noun, it refers to a tool or piece of equipment for a specific task.

What is the difference between 'implement' and 'execute'?

'Implement' focuses on the process of putting a plan into effect, often involving multiple steps over time. 'Execute' suggests carrying out a plan decisively and with precision, often as a final action.

Is 'implement' a formal word?

Yes, the verb 'implement' is generally considered formal and is common in business, government, and academic contexts. The noun is more neutral but can also sound formal or technical.

How is 'implement' pronounced?

The pronunciation changes depending on the part of speech. The verb is stressed on the last syllable (im-pluh-MENT), while the noun is stressed on the first (IM-pluh-munt).

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