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 Kermit’s rendition — performed by Jim Henson — reached No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned an Academy Award nomination for best original song. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2024 Production designer Adam Reamer’s faithful rendition of Catholic interiors — wood paneling, candle lights and crosses adorning each wall — is chilling enough, and Francesca Maria Brunori’s costumes create a haunting uniformity among the nuns. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024 The filmmaker, who was nominated for Best Director for Killers but lost to Christopher Nolan, repeatedly smiled to the camera and cackled to himself during Gosling's buzzy rendition of the song. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 11 Mar. 2024 The lineup will Keep the Party Going by playing renditions of Buffett’s hits, which famously embraced a sunny, island escapism lifestyle. Closer to the show, additional performers are set to be announced. Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 During a recent interview with Tennessee outlet Knox News, Parton revealed that Queen Bey had recorded a rendition of her iconic song — and it might even be featured on Beyoncé’s Act II. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2024 In celebration of the tour, Sunny Day have recorded a live-in-the-studio, song-for-song rendition of Diary at Seattle’s famed London Bridge Studios. Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 11 Mar. 2024 Why lines in the debate aren't as clear at this Western mine Company shifts its attention to private land Copper World is the latest rendition of the company’s former Rosemont mining proposal on Coronado National Forest land on the east slope of the Santa Ritas. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 This latest rendition of Alice Walker’s novel, in other words, is destined to fare no better than Spielberg’s did. Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 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 28 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

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