rendition

noun

ren·​di·​tion ren-ˈdi-shən How to pronounce rendition (audio)
plural renditions
: the act or result of rendering something: such as
a
: a performance or interpretation of something
a moving rendition of a song
a fine rendition of a classic recipe
b
: depiction
… the rusty orange color was an extremely accurate rendition of the Martian soil's appearance.David Savold
c
: translation
the first rendition of the text into English
d
: surrender
specifically, US law : the surrender by a state of a fugitive to another state charging the fugitive with a crime : interstate extradition
Two city residents wanted in New Jersey on gun charges are being held without bail awaiting rendition to that state. Andrew Amelinckx
see also extraordinary rendition

Did you know?

Rendition entered English in the early 17th century and can be traced to the Middle French word reddition and ultimately to the Latin verb reddere, meaning "to return." The English verb render is another descendant of reddere, so perhaps it is no surprise that rendition fundamentally means "the act or result of rendering." English speakers also once adopted reddition itself (meaning either "restitution, surrender" or "elucidation"), but that word has mostly dropped out of use. Incidentally, if you've guessed that surrender is also from the same word family, you may be right; surrender derives in part from the Anglo-French rendre, which likely influenced the alteration of reddition to rendition.

Examples of rendition in a Sentence

a moving rendition of an old gospel song a new rendition of the text in English
Recent Examples on the Web An adaptation of the Broadway musical based on the 2004 film, Tina Fey’s latest rendition of the high school comedy surpassed $100 million at the global box office after six weeks of release. Caroline Brew, Variety, 4 Mar. 2024 If Houston's rendition was American optimism at its zenith, Hendrix's reinterpretation was American cynicism blended with a demand for change. James Powel, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 The materials also exposed instances of the CIA engaging in torture and rendition. Landon Mion, Fox News, 3 Mar. 2024 Kinsley Murray:This 'unmatched' rendition of the national anthem started in Indianapolis and went viral Dad does the styling and hair. The Indianapolis Star, 2 Mar. 2024 Opposite them sat drag renditions of Elvis Presley, Liza Minnelli, Marie Antoinette, a dragon, and other characters. Ronan Farrow, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2024 According to Michelle, her father-in-law makes perfect renditions of French classics like beef bourguignon, ratatouille, lamb tagine, and poulet farci. The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 29 Feb. 2024 The Cognac comes in an artist’s rendition of a dame-jeanne (also known as a demijohn, the glass vessel used to store Cognac). Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2024 The agency also had advanced plans to kidnap and rendition Assange and had made a political decision to charge him, according to the Yahoo report. Landon Mion, Fox News, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rendition.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

obsolete French, from Middle French, alteration of reddition, from Late Latin reddition-, redditio, from Latin reddere to return

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rendition was in 1601

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Dictionary Entries Near rendition

Cite this Entry

“Rendition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rendition. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rendition

noun
ren·​di·​tion ren-ˈdish-ən How to pronounce rendition (audio)
: an act or result of rendering
sang their rendition of the old song

Legal Definition

rendition

noun
ren·​di·​tion ren-ˈdi-shən How to pronounce rendition (audio)
1
: the act or result of rendering
the Court's rendition of judgment
2
: extradition of a fugitive who has fled to another state

More from Merriam-Webster on rendition

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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