version

noun ver·sion \ ˈvər-zhən , -shən \

Updated on: 15 May 2018

Definition of version

1 a : an account or description from a particular point of view especially as contrasted with another account

b : an adaptation of a literary work

the movie version of the novel

c : an arrangement of a musical composition

2 : a form or variant of a type or original

an experimental version of the airplane

3 : a translation from another language; especially : a translation of the Bible or a part of it

4 a : a condition in which an organ and especially the uterus is turned from its normal position

b : manual turning of a fetus in the uterus to aid delivery

—

versional

play \ˈvərzh-nəl, ˈvərsh-; ˈvər-zhə-nᵊl, -shə-\ adjective

See version defined for English-language learners

See version defined for kids

Examples of version in a Sentence

Let me tell you my version of what happened.
We heard two different versions of the story.
A new version of the word processing program should be available soon.
I have an older version of the software.
This new design is better than the first version.
A film version of the novel is being made.
the King James Version of the Bible

Recent Examples of version from the Web

And their version of the work pant is no exception.

— tyler watamanuk, GQ, "The Best Work Pants to Wear Right Now," 11 May 2018
The Senate has yet to release its version of the NSF funding legislation.

— jeffrey mervis, Science | AAAS, "House spending bill could brighten prospects for two giant telescopes," 11 May 2018
Whereas Block and Vida are marked with their own versions of deep familial loss, One Day, like fellow gem Jane, is about what happens when three very different Latinx generations are living under one roof.

— refinery29.com, "Latinx Moms Are Giving Us TV’s Best Portrayals Of Motherhood," 11 May 2018
The Senate majority refused to include the cash in its version of the capital budget, but supporters of the program had pushed members of the House majority to add it to their rewrite.

— nathaniel herz, Anchorage Daily News, "From crime laws to construction spending, Alaska lawmakers did a lot in the past 48 hours. Here’s what you missed.," 11 May 2018
Too often musicians cover Dylan with such slavish devotion to the original recordings, their versions veer toward reverent karaoke.

— ken capobianco, BostonGlobe.com, "If she sings it, then Bettye Lavette is going to own it," 10 May 2018
My original version of the script dealt with students in the middle of this fictitious May '68-like situation.

— ben sachs, Chicago Reader, "Film An interview with Jon Moritsugu, director of Mod Fuck Explosion," 10 May 2018
Pressure from viable discharge petitions can push party leaders to put their own version of a bill on the floor.

— sarah binder, Washington Post, "Some moderate Republicans are trying to force a House vote on DACA. Here’s what that means.," 10 May 2018
How many different versions of the photo are there?

— rob ledonne, Daily Intelligencer, "Behind That Viral Photo of 4 Presidents and 4 First Ladies," 25 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'version.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of version

Middle French, from Medieval Latin version-, versio act of turning, change, from Latin vertere to turn — more at worth

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1582

in the meaning defined at sense 3

See Words from the same year

version Synonyms

Synonyms

account, interpretation, performance, reading, rendition;

Related Words

adaptation, reworking, variation;

Other Bible Terms

antediluvian, apocalyptic, apocrypha, behemoth

VERSION Defined for English Language Learners

version

noun

Definition of version for English Language Learners

: a story or description that is different in some way from another person's story or description
: a form of something (such as a product) that is different in some way from other forms
: a particular translation of the Bible