Definition

To cut off someone's head.

Example

The ancient punishment for treason was to behead the traitor.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you hear about that historical movie where they behead the king?

Yeah, it sounds really intense and dramatic!

I can't believe they actually showed it on screen like that.

I know, right? It’s crazy how they used to handle issues back then.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Behead → It is formed from "be-" (meaning to cause to be) and "head" (from Old English "heafod", meaning the upper part of the body). The word "behead" means to cause the head to be removed from the body.

Memory Tip

Think of 'causing' something to happen ('be-') and 'removing the head' — that's what behead means.

Visually Confused Words