Quick answer
Implement means a tool or piece of equipment; also to put a plan into effect. It is usually pronounced IM-pluh-ment, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Implement
Implement means a tool or piece of equipment; also to put a plan into effect. It belongs to odd objects and contraptions and works best in describing tools, curiosities, and mysterious things with personality. It is still understandable today, but it usually sounds more vivid and deliberate than ordinary modern vocabulary.
At a glance
objectscontraptionscuriosities
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
In plain English, implement refers to a tool or piece of equipment; also to put a plan into effect. It is most useful when a plain label would tell the truth but miss the tone, flavor, or comic edge.
Why this word feels absurd
Implement feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Implement is generally traced to from Latin through French, related to filling out or equipping. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Implement is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
Example sentences
- The column dismissed the whole rumor as implement.
- In the novel, one implement is enough to derail the dinner party.
- She used implement in the essay because the plain modern word felt too bland.
- The teacher paused to explain implement before asking the class to use it in context.
- They kept repeating implement because the sound of it was almost as memorable as the meaning.
When should you use this word?
Use implement when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in describing tools, curiosities, and mysterious things with personality.
Similar words
tool, instrument, carry out, execute, apply
Opposite or contrasting words
ignore, abandon, discard
Common questions
- What does implement mean? A tool or piece of equipment; also to put a plan into effect.
- How do you pronounce implement? It is commonly pronounced IM-pluh-ment.
- Is implement still used today? Implement is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
- When should you use implement? Use implement when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in describing tools, curiosities, and mysterious things with personality.
- What words are similar to implement? Similar words include tool, instrument, carry out, and execute.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.