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.
Her rendition of the much-covered ‘Who’s Sorry Now?’ was a hit.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026
First, unlike the Original Memphis Five, Kaufman performed his rendition in 3/4 time, the waltz rhythm in which Snyder had published his song.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026
Every home match, the fans greet their players' return for the second half with a rendition of "Les Corons", a 1980s pop song paying tribute to the area's mining heritage.
From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026
Errol Flynn’s rendition in 1949’s “That Forsyte Woman” is viewed as one of his best performances.
From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026
The gleeful rendition had never bothered him before, but this morning it upset his ears.
From "Clayton Byrd Goes Underground" by Rita Williams-Garcia
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.
