Decapitation

Noun

1. 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."

2. 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."

3. The unseating of a senior politician.

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