---
title: "How to Kill Process in Linux – Daily Use Ideas"
description: "Here is complete syntax description of Linux Kill command and how to use it correctly."
url: https://srinimf.com/2022/05/14/how-to-kill-process-in-linux-daily-use-ideas/
date: 2022-05-14
modified: 2026-10-10
author: "Srini"
image: https://i0.wp.com/srinimf.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pexels-photo-1536619.jpeg?fit=1880%2C1253&ssl=1
categories: ["Linux"]
tags: ["Kill process in Linux"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# How to Kill Process in Linux – Daily Use Ideas

## What is the Kill command?

The `kill <number> PID,` the command enables you to terminate tasks or processes by specifying a signal value for `<number>` and a process id for `PID`.

The value of `<number>` can be 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 14, or 15.

For example, both of the following commands will terminate a process with a “hangup” signal:` ``kill -1 2345 `

Related[Here’re Top Linux [UNIX] File Commands (Part 2)](https://srinimf.com/2013/12/04/2216unix/)

`kill -s HUP 2345`

You can terminate a process whose `PID` is 2345 with `kill -3 2345` and `kill -9 2345,` which are signals `QUIT` and `KILL,` respectively.

> However, the signal `QUIT` can be “caught” via the “trap” command, whereas the signal `KILL` forces a process to terminate immediately (i.e., as soon as the operating system can execute this command). Moreover, the signal `KILL` cannot be caught via the “trap” command and it cannot be ignored.

#### Note: Only superusers can send a signal to another user’s processes.

**Perform an online search for more details regarding the `kill` command,** or check the man page with this command:` man kill`

## Terminating Multiple Processes

The `kill <number> PID` the command enables you to terminate multiple processes by specifying a list of processes, an example of which is shown here:` `

`kill -1 5000 5010 5135 68238`

Another scenario involves multiple child processes that have the same parent process. For example, when you launch multiple browser sessions in Chrome or Firefox, each browser session will have an associated PID.

Related[How to Access Child-class Methods from Parent-class in Python](https://srinimf.com/2022/09/06/how-to-access-child-class-methods-from-parent-class-in-python/)

There are two ways to terminate all the child processes and the parent process. One technique is to terminate the parent process that appears in the `monitor` utility.

However, if you need to terminate these processes from the command line, you can invoke the following command:` `

`ps -ef |grep -i firefox | awk '{print $2}' | xargs kill -9`

References

- [How to use the awk print command](https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/effective-awk-programming/0596000707/ch04.html)
- [How to use the xargs command in Linux](https://flaviocopes.com/linux-command-xargs/#)

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