behead

Behead is a verb meaning to cut off the head of a person or animal. The noun forms beheading or beheadment refer to the act or its result. The term is formed from the prefix be- and head, indicating removal of the head.

Historically, decapitation has been used as a method of execution or punishment in many cultures, including ancient civilizations, medieval Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. In Europe, swords or axes were commonly employed; in France, the guillotine became a standard instrument during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods.

In modern times, beheading as a state-administered method of punishment has largely fallen out of use. Some jurisdictions retain capital punishment in general, and decapitation remains legal and practiced in a few places under particular legal frameworks, notably in Saudi Arabia.

In other contexts, beheading is widely condemned as a grave violation of human rights. The term has also appeared in warfare and terrorism as a public display or propaganda tactic, leading to heightened concerns about violence and extremism.

In culture and media, beheading is depicted in historical dramas, literature, and news reporting, often to mark a turning point or to symbolize ruthlessness.