behead

[bih-hed]

verb (used with object)

1. to cut off the head of; kill or execute by decapitation.

2. Geology.,  (of a pirate stream) to divert the headwaters of (a river, stream, etc.).

behead

/ bɪˈhɛd /

verb

1. (tr) to remove the head from; decapitate

Other Word Forms

• beheadal noun
• beheader noun
• unbeheaded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of behead¹

before 1000; Middle English behe ( f ) den, beheveden, Old English behēafdian. See be-, head

Word History and Origins

Origin of behead¹

Old English behēafdian , from _be- + heafod _head ; related to Middle High German behoubeten

Example Sentences

When challenged about IS atrocities including beheadings, he says a lot of "unfortunate" things happened.

Read more on BBC

The militants attracted hundreds of foreign fighters and became known for public beheadings and the enslavement of women.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Earlier this year Gen Kainerugaba threatened to behead the opposition leader, though he later deleted the "joke" tweet and apologised.

Read more on BBC

Osbourne retells the infamous story of orally beheading an unsuspecting bat.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Badinter, a lawyer who campaigned for an end to capital punishment after one of his clients was beheaded with a guillotine in the 1970s, died last year aged 95.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• decapitate 
• execute