decapitate

1 of 2

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

decapitation

2 of 2

noun

de·​cap·​i·​ta·​tion di-ˌka-pə-ˈtā-shən 

dē-

plural -s

: the act or process of decapitating

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 of decapitate

Verb

• head
• behead

Examples of decapitate in a Sentence

Verb

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

She was decapitated in the coaster accident, and now has a doll’s head where her real head used to be. — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 28 July 2026

That still seems to mean so little to him that Lestat’s headless body, the threat of Regina being decapitated, and his own imminent death has not moved Louis to make amends. — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Given Jones’ flair for the dramatic, this week’s upcoming finale should deliver even more attention-grabbing moments, even after the last episode ended with the main characters getting decapitated. — Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 13 July 2026

That video showed the same cat being decapitated by Martel, according to prosecutors. — Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

Medieval Latin decapitation-, decapitatio, from Late Latin decapitatus + Latin -ion-, -io -ion

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1611, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for decapitate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

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

Verb

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