extradition

noun

ex·​tra·​di·​tion ˌek-strə-ˈdi-shən 

: 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

The United States had sought Caro Quintero’s extradition shortly after he was arrested in 2022. —Jonathan Dienst, NBC News, 28 Feb. 2025

Some had been wanted for years, even decades, but extradition requests had gone ignored, the department said. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025

The extraditions were done at the request of the U.S. government as President Donald Trump’s tariff deadline looms. —Greg Wehner, Fox News, 28 Feb. 2025

Then, in January, a nonprofit group representing the Camarena family sent a letter to the new Trump administration urging it to renew the extradition request. —Philip Marcelo and Jennifer Peltz, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for extradition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids Definition

extradition

noun

ex·​tra·​di·​tion ˌek-strə-ˈdish-ən 

: 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 

: 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