decapitation

n. act of beheading, act of cutting of the head

Decapitation (from Latin, caput, capitis, meaning head), or beheading, is the removal of a living organism's head. Beheading typically refers to the act of intentional decapitation, e.g., as a means of murder or execution; it may be accomplished, for example, with an axe, sword, any kind of wire, or knife, or by means of a guillotine. Accidental decapitation can be the result of an explosion, automobile or industrial accident, improperly-administered execution by hanging or other violent injury. Suicide by decapitation is rare, but not unknown.
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Decapitation /de·cap·i·ta·tion/ the removal of the head, as of an animal, fetus, or bone. de·cap·i·ta·tion n. [more]Decapitation - Community and Resources

Noun
1. execution by cutting off the victim's head
(synonym) beheading
(hypernym) execution, executing, capital punishment, death penalty
2. killing by cutting off the head
(synonym) beheading
(hypernym) killing, kill, putting to death

n. decapitation