'implementation' originates from Latin, ultimately from 'implēre' (classical Latin 'implēre' / 'implere'), where the prefix 'in-' meant 'in/into' and 'plēre' (from PIE *ple-) meant 'to fill'. The English noun is formed from the verb 'implement' plus the suffix '-ation'.

'implementation' developed from Middle English/French forms of the verb 'implement' (which itself came via Old French from Latin 'implēre'). The Modern English noun 'implementation' was formed by adding the nominalizing suffix '-ation' to 'implement'.

Initially related to the idea of 'filling' or 'making complete' (from Latin), the meaning shifted toward 'carrying out' or 'putting into effect' and later extended to denote specific methods or concrete realizations (such as software implementations).