implement

[ noun im-pluh-muhnt; verb im-pluh-ment, -muhnt ]
See synonyms for implement on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. any article used in some activity, especially an instrument, tool, or utensil: agricultural implements.

  2. an article of equipment, as household furniture, clothing, ecclesiastical vestments, or the like.

  1. a means; agent: human beings as an implement of divine plan.

verb (used with object)
  1. to fulfill; perform; carry out: Once in office, he failed to implement his campaign promises.

  2. to put into effect according to or by means of a definite plan or procedure.

  1. Computers. to realize or instantiate (an element in a program), often under certain conditions as specified by the software involved.

  2. to fill out or supplement.

  3. to provide with implements.

Origin of implement

1
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Late Latin implēmentum “a filling up,” equivalent to Latin implē(re) “to fill up” (im- im-1 + plēre “to fill” ) + -mentum -ment

Other words from implement

  • im·ple·ment·a·ble, adjective
  • im·ple·men·tal, adjective
  • im·ple·men·ta·tion [im-pluh-muhn-tey-shuhn, ‐men‐] /ˌɪm plə mənˈteɪ ʃən, ‐mɛn‐/ noun
  • im·ple·ment·er, im·ple·men·tor, noun
  • non·im·ple·ment, noun
  • non·im·ple·men·tal, adjective
  • re·im·ple·ment, verb (used with object)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for implement

implement

noun(ˈɪmplɪmənt)
  1. a piece of equipment; tool or utensil: gardening implements

  2. something used to achieve a purpose; agent

verb(ˈɪmplɪˌmɛnt) (tr)
  1. to carry out; put into action; perform: to implement a plan

  2. archaic to complete, satisfy, or fulfil

Origin of implement

1
C17: from Late Latin implēmentum, literally: a filling up, from Latin implēre to fill up, satisfy, fulfil

Derived forms of implement

  • implemental, adjective
  • implementation, noun
  • implementer or implementor, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012