- (transitive) to remove the head from; decapitate
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
be•head /bɪˈhɛd/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object]
be•head•er, n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to cut off the head of;
decapitate:How many people were beheaded during the French Revolution?
be•head•er, n. [countable]
be•head
(bi hed′),USA pronunciation v.t.
be•head′al, n.
be•head′er, n.
- to cut off the head of;
kill or execute by decapitation. - Geology(of a pirate stream) to divert the headwaters of (a river, stream, etc.).
- Middle English behe(f )den, beheveden, Old English behēafdian. See be-, head bef. 1000
be•head′er, n.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
behead /bɪˈhɛd/ vb
'beheading' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):