extradition
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
- nonextradition noun
Etymology
Origin of extradition
Explanation
A legal word, extradition means sending someone back to the country or state where they've been accused of a crime. Getting countries to agree on the terms of extradition can take years. It can be hard enough for lawyers in the U.S. to agree on a person's extradition from one state to another, so you can imagine how difficult it can be for officials from different countries. Extradition can have real consequences for the person being extradited. Suppose the laws there allow for the death penalty: a person accused of a capital crime would be smart to fight extradition to that place. The Latin prefix ex- means "from, out of," and trāditiōn- means "handing over," so extradition is the handing-over of someone from one jurisdiction to another.
Vocabulary lists containing extradition
This Week in Words: November 4 - 10, 2017
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The Constitution
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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.
Judge Corinne Goetzmann told the court that a warrant had been issued for Ramadan's arrest, however Switzerland does not have an extradition treaty with its neighbour.
From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026
Wares was arrested under a UK extradition warrant in October last year before being released on bail.
From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026
Jailed in Arkansas, Duggar awaits extradition to Florida.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026
Gamboa, who was wearing a red shirt and boarded the plane in handcuffs and under heavy guard, attempted to prevent his extradition with last-minute legal appeals, but the efforts were rejected.
From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026
Most important, he had no intention of leaving Iceland, because of the threat of extradition to the United States.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
