rendition
Americannoun
-
the act of rendering.
- Synonyms:
- version, interpretation
-
a translation.
-
an interpretation, as of a role or a piece of music.
-
the legal procedure or process of sending a suspected criminal to another country to be interrogated or detained, usually for law-enforcement purposes.
-
Archaic. surrender.
noun
-
a performance of a musical composition, dramatic role, etc
-
a translation of a text
-
the act of rendering
-
archaic surrender
verb
Other Word Forms
- nonrendition noun
Etymology
Origin of rendition
1595–1605; < Middle French, alteration of reddition (< Middle English reddicion ) < Late Latin redditiōn- (stem of redditiō ), equivalent to Latin reddit ( us ) (past participle of reddere; render 1 ) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
A rendition is an interpretation, performance, or translation. Whitney Houston's rendition of the Star Spangled Banner is still used at games today; Roseanne Barr's is not. This word comes from the Old French rendre, which means “to deliver, yield.” So if you want to put your spin on a song or poem or your favorite movie monologue, go ahead and deliver your rendition of it. But know that in modern times this word has also been used as a noun, describing the secret capture and interrogation of a terror suspect in a foreign country that has less strict human rights laws.
Vocabulary lists containing rendition
"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak, Part Four
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The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
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Academy Awards, List 4
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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.
What distinguishes the version with Bieber is how gently he slides between the Nigerian singers Wizkid and Tems, who both joined him for a rendition of “Essence” at Coachella.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026
Phil but a very fine rendition of Prokofiev’s ballet by the London Symphony Orchestra under Valery Gergiev.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
Swap out the poppy seeds for chia seeds and add sesame seeds, onion flakes, garlic powder and flaky sea salt to make an omega-3-rich rendition of the popular Everything Bagel Seasoning.
From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026
Kate and Andy still mark Ann's birthday every year with a cake and a rendition of "happy birthday", and they put up her stocking for Christmas.
From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026
His rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” brought the audience to a standstill.
From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge
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.
