decapitation

What it means

1. countableuncountableBeheading; the act of beheading or decapitating.

   If the headsman's axe was sharp and his aim was true, decapitation was a quick and relatively painless form of death.

   1 more example

   The tortoise, possessing, like the serpent, the power of retaining life in its limbs after mutilation or decapitation, became a symbol of androgynity as well as of immortality.

   1941, George Ryley Scott, Phallic Worship: A History of Sex and Sex Rites in Relation to the Religions of All Races from Antiquity to the Present Day, London: T. Werner Laurie, page 31

2. countableuncountableThe ousting or destruction of the ruling body of a government or other organization.

   A decapitation strike carried out by drone killed many of the country's senior generals.

   1 more example

   Even those who welcome the decapitation of the Iranian regime may feel deep unease about America’s behavior.

   2026 March 2, Ben Rhodes, “Trump May Come to Regret This”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

3. countableuncountablegovernmentThe unseating of a senior politician.

   The decapitation of the Foreign Secretary was a significant publicity coup for the opposition.

   3 more examples

   The Lib Dem contender hoping to accomplish a bit of pre-emptive decapitation is Andrew Crawford.

   2005, Simon Henig, Lewis Baston, Politico's Guide to the General Election 2005, page 223

   Some also thought that the Lib Dem decapitation strategy had kept him cornered in his constituency during the campaign, unable to play a wider role.

   2009 May 1, Andrew Denham, Kieron O'Hara, Democratising Conservative leadership selection: from grey suits to grass roots, page 108

   Nearing 2.30, stoking fears of a disastrous night for the Lib Dems, the Tories achieved their first "decapitation" ‑ a visibly shocked Lembit Opik, in once-safe Montgomeryshire ‑ while evading their own biggest risk of high-profile embarrassment: Oliver Letwin held Dorset West.

   2010 May 7, Oliver Burkeman, “UK election results 2010: A war of words deep into the night”, in The Guardian

In a sentence

If the headsman's axe was sharp and his aim was true, decapitation was a quick and relatively painless form of death.

Where it comes from

1. Frenchdécapitation
2. Englishdecapitation

From French décapitation.