cover version

American

[kuhv-er vur-zhuhn, ‐shuhn] / ˈkʌv ər ˌvɜr ʒən, ‐ʃən /

noun

a recording or performance of a song by a singer, instrumentalist, or group other than the original performer or composer.

cover version British

noun

another name for cover

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of cover version

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

cover version

A cover version of Chuck Berry’s “Back in the U.S.A.” is sassy, but rather than deliver the song as a driving rocker, Mr. Richman strikes a more casual tone.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

The Zutons' cover version of Amy Winehouse's track Back to Black is out now, and the band tour the UK in April.

From BBC ● Jan. 3, 2025

Ironically, it was a cover version that proved to be Badfinger’s undoing.

From Salon ● Dec. 17, 2024

But I don’t sit around and think, I hope Taylor Swift does a cover version of my song.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2024

Robison’s final album, the rock-tinged “High Life” from 2013, included a cover version of Bob Dylan’s “When I Paint My Masterpiece.”

From Washington Times ● Sep. 11, 2023

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023