implement
/ˈɪm.plɪ.ment/To put a plan, decision, or system into action. It means taking the steps needed to make something actually work in practice, not just on paper.
- The government plans to implement the new tax policy next year.
- Our team will implement the changes starting Monday.
- It is difficult to implement reforms without proper funding.
A tool or piece of equipment used for a specific task, especially outdoor or farm work. This noun sense is less common in modern business or academic writing.
- The farmer stored his implements in the old wooden shed.
- Gardening implements like spades and rakes were on sale.
Adinary Nuance
Implement sits close to execute, carry out, apply, and enforce, but each has a different focus. Implement is the most natural choice when you're talking about putting a plan, policy, or system into action over time — it implies a process, not a single moment. Execute suggests completing a specific task with precision, often in one go (you execute a command, a strategy, a move). Carry out is more neutral and everyday — it works in both formal and informal contexts, while implement sounds distinctly formal and is expected in academic, policy, and business writing. Apply works when you're taking an existing rule or principle and using it in a specific situation, whereas implement is better for rolling out something new. In IELTS writing, implement is a strong academic-register verb that signals formal fluency.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Thực hiện
- Spanish
- Implementar
- Chinese
- 实施
- Japanese
- 実施する
- Korean
- 시행하다
Etymology
From Medieval Latin "implementum," meaning "a filling up" or "equipment," derived from Latin "implere" (to fill). The noun entered English in the 15th century meaning tools or supplies; the verb sense — to put into effect — developed by the 18th century and is now far more common.
Common phrases
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'implement' formal or informal?
- It is formal. It is very common in academic writing, IELTS essays, business reports, and government documents. In everyday conversation, people usually say 'carry out' or 'put in place' instead.
- What is the difference between 'implement' and 'execute'?
- 'Implement' suggests rolling out a plan or system step by step over time. 'Execute' focuses on completing a specific task precisely, often quickly. You implement a new school curriculum; you execute a plan of action.
- Can 'implement' be used as a noun?
- Yes, but the noun form is much less common today. As a noun, it means a tool or equipment (like farm implements). In academic or business writing, 'implement' is almost always used as a verb.
- Is 'implement' a good word to use in IELTS Writing Task 2?
- Yes, absolutely. Using 'implement' correctly — for example, 'governments should implement stricter regulations' — signals a strong academic vocabulary and can improve your Lexical Resource score.