interpreter

noun

in·​ter·​pret·​er in-ˈtər-prə-tər 

-pə-

plural interpreters

1

: someone or something that interprets: such as

a

: someone who translates for individuals or groups conversing in different languages

an interpreter at the United Nations

a sign language interpreter

b

: someone who explains or expounds

Aside from his Nobel Prize-winning work on quantum electrodynamics (don't ask), [Richard P.] Feynman was an interpreter of Maya hieroglyphics …

—Pam Freir

2

a

: a machine that prints on punch cards the symbols recorded in them by perforations

b

: a computer program that executes each of a set of high-level instructions before going to the next instruction

Synonyms of interpreter

• practitioner
• exponent

Examples of interpreter in a Sentence

He has now learned English well enough that he can conduct interviews without an interpreter.

Monet is generally regarded as the foremost interpreter of pure impressionism.

Recent Examples on the Web

Recently, Flint spent $25,000 in settlement funds to pay for a sign-language interpreter at city council meetings. —CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026

Accessibility and community care are important; the festival offers sliding scale pricing, live streams for most shows, 11 events with ASL interpreters, and have even programmed a gender-affirming care fair on April 11where attendees can meet real trans healthcare practitioners. —Candace Hansen, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026

If the rock star is a romantic individual who expresses some inner truth through original music, the idol is an omnicompetent interpreter of material. —Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026

Silvia Sommerlath was the interpreter in question. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing interpreter

• through an interpreter

Kids Definition

interpreter

noun

in·​ter·​pret·​er in-ˈtər-prət-ər 

1

: one that interprets

especially : a person who translates orally for people speaking different languages

2

: a computer program that translates an instruction into machine language and executes it before going to the next instruction