behead

[ bih-hed ]
See synonyms for: beheadbeheading on Thesaurus.com

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.).

Origin of behead

1
before 1000; Middle English behe(f)den,beheveden,Old English behēafdian.See be-, head

Other words from behead

  • be·head·al, noun
  • be·head·er, noun
  • un·be·head·ed, adjective

Words Nearby behead

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use behead in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for behead

behead

/ (bɪˈhɛd) /


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

Origin of behead

1
Old English behēafdian, from be- + heafod head; related to Middle High German behoubeten

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