extradite

verb

ex·​tra·​dite ˈek-strə-ˌdīt How to pronounce extradite (audio)
extradited; extraditing

transitive verb

1
: to deliver up to extradition
2
: to obtain the extradition of

Did you know?

Extradite and its related noun extradition are both ultimately Latin in origin: their source is tradition-, tradition, meaning “the act of handing over.” (The word tradition, though centuries older, has the same source; consider tradition as something handed over from one generation to the next.) While extradition and extradite are of 19th century vintage, the U.S. Constitution, written in 1787, addresses the idea in Article IV: “A person charged in any State with treason, felony, or other crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found in another State, shall on demand of the executive authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime.”

Examples of extradite in a Sentence

He will be extradited from the U.S. to Canada to face criminal charges there. The prisoner was extradited across state lines.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ali was extradited back to Connecticut, arraigned on murder charges on April 17 and ordered held without bail. Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 10 May 2025 Kwon was extradited to the U.S. from Montenegro to face fraud charges in January 2025. Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 8 May 2025 Wright’s lawyers were arguing that some of the magistrate’s reasons he couldn’t be extradited still stand and were renewing their pleas for Japan’s application to be dismissed. Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025 Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office detectives extradited her to Michigan on Wednesday, April 9. Charna Flam, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for extradite

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from extradition

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of extradite was in 1864

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Cite this Entry

“Extradite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extradite. Accessed 17 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

extradite

verb
ex·​tra·​dite ˈek-strə-ˌdīt How to pronounce extradite (audio)
extradited; extraditing
: to cause to be delivered by extradition
extraditable
-ˌdīt-ə-bəl
adjective

Legal Definition

extradite

transitive verb
ex·​tra·​dite ˈek-strə-ˌdīt How to pronounce extradite (audio)
extradited; extraditing
1
: to deliver up to extradition
2
: to obtain the extradition of
extraditability
ˌek-strə-ˌdī-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē
noun
extraditable adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on extradite

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