How to pronounce decapitation
Say it like DEE-kap-uh-tay-shun. Decapitation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce decapitation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DEE
- kap
- uh
- tay
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Decapitation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- kapKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of decapitation
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 4.
British respelling: dih-kap-ih-TAY-shun.
What does decapitation mean?
- Beheading; 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.”
- The 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.”
- The unseating of a senior politician.“The decapitation of the Foreign Secretary was a significant publicity coup for the opposition.”
Where does decapitation come from?
From French décapitation.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying decapitation
How do you pronounce decapitation?
Say DEE-kap-uh-tay-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˈdikæpəˌteɪʃən/. In British English it is /dɪˌkæpɪˈteɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in decapitation?
Decapitation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEE). Broken into parts: DEE · kap · uh · tay · shun.
Is decapitation pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 4. The British form is /dɪˌkæpɪˈteɪʃən/ (dih-kap-ih-TAY-shun).