decapitate

verb

de·​cap·​i·​tate di-ˈka-pə-ˌtāt 

dē-

decapitated; decapitating

transitive verb

: to cut off the head of : behead

decapitation

di-ˌka-pə-ˈtā-shən 

dē-

noun

decapitator

di-ˈka-pə-ˌtā-tər 

dē-

noun

Did you know?

Decapitation is a quick and fairly painless way to go, so it was once considered suitable only for nobles like Sir Walter Raleigh, Mary Queen of Scots, and two of Henry VIII's unfortunate wives. The invention of the guillotine in the 18th century was meant to make execution swifter and more painless than hanging or a badly aimed blow by the executioner's sword.

Synonyms

• behead
• guillotine
• head

Examples of decapitate in a Sentence

a particularly gruesome series of murders in which the victims were decapitated

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead of simply stuffing their cheeks with fruits, nuts or seeds, the California ground squirrels there are now known to hunt, kill, decapitate and consume voles, a fellow rodent species, according to research published Wednesday in the Journal of Ethology. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024

Like that one that underestimated a low Bronx highway overpass at full speed, shearing its top off, killing 15 passengers, decapitating at least one. —Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 18 Dec. 2024

Though Tehran’s position has been weakened—with its ally Hezbollah decapitated and the friendly Assad regime deposed—Iran can still target Israel with drones and missiles. —Rosemary Kelanic, TIME, 17 Dec. 2024

Nasser Hospital received at least 15 bodies following the strike but determining an exact count was challenging due to the condition of the victims, many of whom were dismembered, severely burned or decapitated. —Jason Fields, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin decapitatus, past participle of decapitare, from Latin de- + capit-, caput head — more at head

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

decapitate

verb

de·​cap·​i·​tate di-ˈkap-ə-ˌtāt 

decapitated; decapitating

: to cut off the head of : behead

decapitation

-ˌkap-ə-ˈtā-shən 

noun

Etymology

derived from Latin decapitare "to cut off the head of," from de- "from, away" and caput "head" — related to capital

Medical Definition

decapitate

1 of 2 transitive verb

de·​cap·​i·​tate di-ˈkap-ə-ˌtāt 

decapitated; decapitating

: to cut off the head of

decapitation

-ˌkap-ə-ˈtā-shən 

noun

decapitate

2 of 2 adjective

de·​cap·​i·​tate -ə-ˌtāt  -ət-ət 

: relating to or being a decapitated experimental animal