extradition

noun

ex·​tra·​di·​tion ˌek-strə-ˈdi-shən How to pronounce extradition (audio)
Synonyms of extraditionnext
: the surrender of an alleged criminal usually under the provisions of a treaty or statute by one authority (such as a state) to another having jurisdiction to try the charge

Examples of extradition in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Thompson is being held in Escambia County awaiting extradition to Georgia on charges of felony murder and aggravated assault. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 He was publicly named in extradition proceedings in Italy that led to his transfer to Germany in November. — Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026 The second Ukrainian man arrested in connection with the bombing, Volodymyr Zhuravlov, was detained in August in Croatia, where a court has approved his extradition to Germany, Reuters reported last month. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026 China does not have a formal extradition treaty with the United States. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for extradition

Word History

Etymology

French, from ex- + Latin tradition-, traditio act of handing over — more at treason

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of extradition was in 1810

Rhymes for extradition

See All Rhymes for extradition

Browse Nearby Words

extradite
extradition
extrados
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Extradition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extradition. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

extradition

noun
ex·​tra·​di·​tion ˌek-strə-ˈdish-ən How to pronounce extradition (audio)
: the delivery of an accused criminal from one place (as a U.S. state) to another where the trial will be held

Legal Definition

extradition

noun
ex·​tra·​di·​tion ˌek-strə-ˈdi-shən How to pronounce extradition (audio)
: the surrender of an accused usually under the provisions of a treaty or statute by one sovereign (as a state or nation) to another that has jurisdiction to try the accused and that has demanded his or her return see also asylum state compare detainer, rendition

Note: Article IV of the U.S. Constitution states: “A person charged in any State with treason, felony, or other crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found in another State, shall on demand of the executive authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime.”

Etymology

French, from Latin ex- out + traditio act of handing over, from tradere to hand over

More from Merriam-Webster on extradition

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for extradition

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about extradition

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All