A gallows is a structure used for executing individuals by hanging. It typically consists of a wooden frame with a crossbeam from which a noose is suspended. Historically, gallows were used as a method of capital punishment in various cultures around the world, serving as a public spectacle to deter crime. The design of gallows has varied over time, but they often include a platform or trapdoor that allows the condemned person to fall, leading to death by strangulation or neck fracture. The use of gallows has largely declined in modern times, with many countries abolishing capital punishment altogether.