Lynching refers to the act of extrajudicial killing, often by a mob, typically carried out without legal authority or due process. This violent practice has historically targeted marginalized groups, particularly African Americans in the United States, and is often associated with racial violence and intimidation. The term originated in the late 18th century and is linked to vigilante justice, where individuals take the law into their own hands. Lynching often involved hanging, but other brutal methods were also used. The practice has been condemned as a violation of human rights and is a dark chapter in the history of American society.