executable

1 of 2

adjective

ex·e·cut·able ˈek-si-ˌkyü-tə-bəl How to pronounce executable (audio)

: 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

: 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

executable

2 of 2

noun

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

The [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

Examples of executable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

To start it up, double-click the Archy executable in the installed folder, and the default document will appear. —Cameron Kaiser, ArsTechnica, 19 Sep. 2025 Use a reputable security tool to check for hidden scripts, unusual shortcuts or unexpected executables. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for executable