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
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; see 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.
While stumbling over the lyrics to “Matchmaker,” “Fiddler” cast members suddenly appeared on stage, performing the song with him; they closed down the number with a rousing rendition of the show stopper “Tradition.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026
The band later treated the King to a rendition of Jamming by Bob Marley and the Wailers.
From BBC • May 1, 2026
The album’s sole remake, a clever punk rendition of Chris Montez’s 1962 hit “Let’s Dance,” should have been a single.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026
The pair then transitioned into a rendition of her 1990 hit “Vogue.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026
I don't know how the original sounds, but this guy's howler-monkey a cappella rendition of it leaves a lot to be desired.
From "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" by John Green and David Levithan
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.
