guillotine
noun
guil·lo·tine
ˈgi-lə-ˌtēn 
ˌgē-(y)ə-ˈtēn
ˈgē-(y)ə-ˌtēn
ˌgē-(y)ə-ˈtēn
ˈgē-(y)ə-ˌtēn
1
: a machine for beheading by means of a heavy blade that slides down in vertical guides
2
: a shearing machine or instrument (such as a paper cutter) that in action resembles a guillotine
The paper was trimmed on a guillotine.
3
chiefly British
: closure by the imposition of a predetermined time limit on the consideration of specific sections of a bill or portions of other legislative business
guillotine
transitive verb
Examples of guillotine in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And no wonder, when the threat of deportation hovers like a guillotine.
—
Rob Oller, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
The guillotine became France’s official method of capital punishment in spring 1792.
—Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Jan. 2025
Since the president’s first days in office, science has been under the guillotine at every turn.
—Megha Satyanarayana, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2025
On Saturday night, Brady dispatched former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards in the fourth round with a guillotine choke.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for guillotine
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Rob Oller, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
The guillotine became France’s official method of capital punishment in spring 1792.
—Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Jan. 2025
Since the president’s first days in office, science has been under the guillotine at every turn.
—Megha Satyanarayana, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2025
On Saturday night, Brady dispatched former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards in the fourth round with a guillotine choke.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for guillotine
Cite this Entry
“Guillotine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guillotine. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
guillotine
noun
guil·lo·tine
ˈgil-ə-ˌtēn
ˌgē-(y)ə-ˈtēn
ˌgē-(y)ə-ˈtēn
ˈgē-(y)əˌ-tēn
: a machine for cutting off a person's head by means of a heavy blade sliding in two upright grooved posts
guillotine
verb
Etymology
named for Joseph Guillotin 1738–1814 French doctor and public official
Medical Definition
guillotine
noun
guil·lo·tine
ˈgil-ə-ˌtēn
ˈgē-ə-ˌtēn
ˈgē-ə-ˌtēn
: a surgical instrument that consists of a ring and handle with a knife blade which slides down the handle and across the ring and that is used for cutting out a protruding structure (as a tonsil) capable of being placed in the ring
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