What does extradite mean?
To extradite is to formally hand over a person from one jurisdiction to another so that they can be tried or punished for a crime there. The term belongs to the language of law and diplomacy: states extradite suspects under bilateral extradition treaties, and courts issue warrants authorizing the transfer. A typical use reads 'the suspect was extradited to the United States to face fraud charges.' Extradition is distinguished from deportation, which concerns removal for immigration violations rather than criminal prosecution. The word carries a formal, institutional tone and is rarely used outside legal, journalistic, or political contexts. It derives from Latin roots meaning 'to hand over' and entered English in the nineteenth century alongside the noun 'extradition,' as modern nation-states built the treaty frameworks still governing international criminal justice today.
verbTo surrender a person accused or convicted of a crime by one state or country to another that has jurisdiction to try or punish them, typically under a formal legal agreement.
- (of a state) to surrender an accused or convicted person to another jurisdiction for trial or punishment, especially under an extradition treaty
- more generally, to hand over or deliver up a person to the legal authorities of another place
"The fugitive was extradited from Spain to face fraud charges in the United States."
"Britain refused to extradite the hacker without assurances about prison conditions."
"The governor signed the warrant extraditing the suspect back to Texas."
The word 'extradite' didn't exist in English until the 19th century — it was coined straight out of Latin when modern nations started signing formal treaties to hand criminals across borders.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of extradite
Extradite comes from the Latin 'extraditus', past participle of 'extradere', formed from 'extra-' ('outside, beyond') plus 'tradere' ('to hand over, deliver'), the same verb behind 'traitor' and 'betray'. The word is a relatively recent coinage: it appeared in English in the early-to-mid nineteenth century, derived from the newer noun 'extradition', which itself came via French 'extradition' as European states formalized cross-border surrender of criminals by treaty.
Related word forms
How extradite is actually used
Formal and almost exclusively legal in register; used chiefly of governments and courts rather than individuals. The subject is normally the surrendering state, with the destination expressed by 'to' ('extradited him to France').
Easily confused with extradite
Deportation removes someone from a country for immigration reasons, while extradition surrenders them specifically to another jurisdiction to face criminal prosecution.