Verb B2 — Upper-Intermediate /ˈɪmplɪment/

Implement — Definition, Examples & Pronunciation

To put a plan or decision into action — an essential word for academic, business, and professional English.

Quick Definition

To implement means to put a plan or decision into action; to carry out or execute something. Synonyms: carry out, execute, apply, enforce.

What Does Implement Mean?

Implement comes from Latin implementum, meaning "a filling up" or "something that completes", from implere (to fill, fulfil). In modern English it functions primarily as a formal verb meaning to take a plan, decision, or policy and put it into real operation. The emphasis is on the transition from theory to practice — from deciding what to do, to actually doing it.

The word is especially common in formal registers: government documents ("implement legislation"), business reports ("implement a strategy"), education ("implement a new curriculum"), and technology ("implement a software update"). The related noun is implementation — the process of implementing something. There is no common adjective form, though implementable occasionally appears in specialist writing.

A common ESL mistake is using implement in casual speech where simpler verbs like use, do, or carry out would be more natural. Reserve implement for formal writing and professional contexts. Another error is treating it as reflexive — you implement a plan, not "implement yourself in a plan".

Example Sentences

SentenceUsage note
The government plans to implement new environmental regulations next year.formal / policy context
The company successfully implemented a remote working strategy during the pandemic.business / past tense
Teachers were given two weeks to implement the updated grading system.education register
The developers need to implement the security patch before the site goes live.technology context
It is one thing to design a plan; it is quite another to implement it effectively.contrast / academic writing
The new policies were difficult to implement because staff had not been trained.passive voice
We recommend that the board implement these measures as soon as possible.formal recommendation
Once the budget is approved, the project team will implement phase two.project management

Word Forms

Verb (base)
implement
"We need to implement this now."
Verb (past)
implemented
"The plan was implemented last month."
Verb (-ing)
implementing
"They are implementing the changes."
Noun (action)
implementation
"The implementation took six months."
Noun (person)
implementer
"She was the chief implementer."
Noun (tool)
implement
"A spade is a garden implement."

Common Collocations

CollocationExample phrase
implement a policy"The council voted to implement a cycling policy across the city."
implement a plan"The team was ready to implement the plan immediately after approval."
implement a strategy"A new marketing strategy will be implemented in Q3."
implement changes"The head teacher implemented several changes to the timetable."
implement a solution"Engineers worked overnight to implement a technical solution."
implement measures"The government implemented emergency measures to control the outbreak."
implement recommendations"The charity agreed to implement the inspector's recommendations."
fully / successfully implement"The new system was successfully implemented across all departments."

Common Mistakes

Watch Out For These Errors

We implemented to the new system last week.

We implemented the new system last week. (No preposition needed after implement.)

The manager implemented a very implement solution.

The manager implemented a very effective solution. (Implement is a verb, not an adjective; use effective, workable, or practical instead.)

Can you implement me on this project?

Can you include me on this project? (Implement is used for plans and systems, not people.)

Related Words

apply execute carry out enforce achieve develop manage plan

Synonyms

carry out execute apply enforce put into practice bring into effect deploy

Antonyms

ignore abandon cancel shelve disregard

Practise This Word

Flash Cards Complete the Sentence Cloze Dropdown

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Frequently Asked Questions about “implement”

What does implement mean?
Implement means to put a plan, decision, or system into action. When you implement something, you move it from the stage of planning into real practice. Example: 'The school decided to implement a new homework policy at the start of term.'
Is implement a verb or a noun?
Implement can be both a verb and a noun. As a verb (/ˈɪmplɪment/), it means to carry out a plan. As a noun, it means a tool or instrument, especially one used for outdoor or agricultural work. In modern English, the verb form is far more common in academic and professional contexts.
What is the difference between implement and apply?
Both words describe putting something into use, but they differ in scope. Implement usually refers to putting an entire plan, policy, or system into operation: 'implement a strategy'. Apply is often used for using a rule, technique, or skill in a specific situation: 'apply a method'. Implement implies a larger-scale, more formal process.
How do you use implement in a sentence?
Implement is followed by a noun object: 'implement a policy', 'implement changes', 'implement a solution'. It is frequently used in formal, academic, and business writing. Example: 'The government will implement the new regulations from January.' Avoid using it informally where 'do' or 'use' would sound more natural.
What is the noun form of implement (the action)?
The noun form for the act of implementing is implementation. 'The implementation of the new system took three months.' Implementation is widely used in project management, law, education, and technology to describe the process of putting something into practice.
What are common collocations with implement?
Common collocations include: implement a policy, implement a plan, implement a strategy, implement changes, implement a solution, implement measures, implement a system, and implement recommendations. These phrases appear regularly in business reports, academic papers, and government documents.
What is the difference between implement and execute?
Both mean to carry out a plan, but execute often emphasises precision and completing specific steps: 'execute a plan flawlessly'. Implement is broader and focuses on putting a system or policy into ongoing operation: 'implement a new curriculum'. Execute is slightly more formal and is also used in legal and military contexts.
Is implement formal or informal?
Implement is a formal word. It is common in academic writing, business reports, government documents, and professional communication. In informal spoken English, people are more likely to say 'put into practice', 'carry out', or simply 'do'. Using implement in casual conversation can sound overly stiff.
What is the origin of the word implement?
Implement comes from Latin 'implementum', meaning 'a filling up' or 'something that completes', from 'implere' (to fill, fulfil). It entered English in the 15th century as a noun referring to tools or equipment. The verb sense of 'putting into effect' developed later, becoming prominent in 19th-century formal English.
How can I practise using implement in English?
LexFizz's Flash Cards include formal academic vocabulary including implement. Try the Complete the Sentence exercise and the Cloze Dropdown exercise to practise implement in context. Reading business articles and academic texts and noting how implement is used alongside nouns like 'policy', 'plan', and 'strategy' is an excellent reinforcement technique.