An executor is someone whose name you write in your will when you want them to be responsible for dealing with your affairs after your death.
[law]
executor in British English
(ɪɡˈzɛkjʊtə)
noun
1. law
a person appointed by a testator to carry out the wishes expressed in his or her will
2.
a person who executes
Derived forms
executorial (exˌecuˈtorial)
adjective
executorship (exˈecutorˌship)
noun
Word origin
C13: from Anglo-French executour, from Latin execūtor, from ex-1 + sequi follow
executor in American English
(ˈɛksɪˌkjutər; for 2 ɛgˈzɛkjutər; ɪgˈzɛkjətər; ɛgˈzɛkjətər; ɪgˈzɛkjətər)
noun
1.
a person who gets something done or produced
2.
a person appointed to carry out the provisions and directions in a testator's will
see also administrator
Derived forms
executorial (exˌecuˈtorial) (ˈɛksɪˈtɔriəl)
adjective
Word origin
ME executour < OFr & ML executor, both < L executus, exsecutus, pp. of exequi, exsequi, to follow up, pursue < ex-, intens. + sequi, to follow: see sequent
Examples of 'executor' in a sentence
executor
You will need to appoint a few people as executors of your will.
The Sun (2016)
To appoint executors you trust.
The Sun (2016)
NEARLY one in five executors to wills only found out it was their responsibility after the person died, a poll found.
The Sun (2017)
I researched this recently when I was an executor of a will.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You are free to appoint an executor or executors of your choice.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
We were also executors of her will.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The attorney was appointed executor and opened a "trust account" at a local bank.
Christianity Today (2000)
We trust that this is not a responsibility her executors will overlook.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Dad had appointed me as executor of his will.
Aidan Hartley THE ZANZIBAR CHEST: A Memoir of Love and War (2003)
Ask whether there will be other executors.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
My grandfather has asked me to be the executor of his will since my grandmother passed away recently.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
An executor is responsible for carrying out the deceased's wishes as set out in their will.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
If the deceased made a will, the personal representatives are the executors named in the will.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
My mother died in 2004 leaving my brother and me as executors of her will.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Where none is named, the executors are free to hire a solicitor or do the work themselves.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
People often agree to be executors of wills, thinking that it is rather like giving a reference.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
I am acting as executor for the will of my deceased father.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
HAVE you been asked to be an executor of a will?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Always approach relatives or friends who you are thinking of appointing as an executor to find out if they are willing to take on the responsibility.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
When dad died in 2009, his executors and trustees were mum and their solicitors.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It can be used to direct your funeral wishes and name your executor, and is vital to ensure your assets are distributed as you wish.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
After a bitter dispute with members of her family, including the executor of the will, she spoke to a lawyer.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The literary executors must of course be trustworthy and, unless the star is expected to die young, should be younger than him.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
When the donor died the home help produced a will, signed six months earlier, making her a significant beneficiary and sole executor.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
My executors will buy the freehold when I'm six foot under.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
executor
British English: executor NOUN
An executor is someone whose name you write in your will when you want them to be responsible for dealing with your affairs after your death.