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cover version

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

noun

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


cover version British  

noun

  1. 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.

Armstrong’s deliciously swinging cover version became a hit single, one of a handful of small-group jazz recordings ever to do so, and he would perform it the world over until he died in 1971.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

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

Springsteen even threw in a cover version of the rockabilly classic "Seven Nights to Rock," thwarting our expectations yet again.

From Salon • Sep. 2, 2023

They had two successful albums and a number of hit singles, including a cover version of Caravan of Love which reached Number One in the UK charts in December 1986.

From BBC • May 27, 2023