ex·e·cut·able
ˈek-si-ˌkyü-tə-bəl 
1
: capable of being executed
an executable plan/strategy
specifically, computers
: consisting of or containing coded instructions that can be run without using an assembler or compiler
executable code
A compiler needs to run only once, because it creates an executable file. —
Tom Campbell
Tom Campbell 2
: having execution (see execution sense 2) as a legal penalty : punishable by death
The report says that the scope of executable offenses is growing beyond internationally accepted boundaries.—Betsy Pisik
Betsy Pisik
plural executables
: a set of computer instructions (such as a program (see program sense 6a)) that has been prepared so that it can be run by a CPU without additional processing
Though it will no longer infect anyone, running a text file as an executable can crash the operating system.—Oliver Kaven
Oliver KavenThe [hacker] group relied on users' familiarity with the Windows folder icons and the File Explorer interface to dupe victims into running malicious executables.—Liam Tung
Liam TungExamples of executable in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025
The judge instructed the government to stop all transfers and confirmed that the class includes minors in the custody of the ORR who lack executable removal orders.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Aug. 2025
Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2025
This targeted Windows desktop not phone users, and essentially meant an image could actually be an executable that would run on your device.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for executable
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
Within the first two hours online, high-level fighting players had already seemingly mastered the game’s beginner-friendly systems and begun using the easily executable combos to dominate the scene, air juggling hapless newbies into oblivion.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025
The judge instructed the government to stop all transfers and confirmed that the class includes minors in the custody of the ORR who lack executable removal orders.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
Use a reputable security tool to check for hidden scripts, unusual shortcuts or unexpected executables.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2025
This targeted Windows desktop not phone users, and essentially meant an image could actually be an executable that would run on your device.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for executable
Cite this Entry
“Executable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/executable. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share