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
Pam Freir2
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
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
By using a special secure interpreter to run this Python code, CaMeL can monitor it closely.
—ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2025
The group chatted backstage after their set on Saturday with the help of an interpreter — though not Jake and Jay, who are fluent in English.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2025
The push to clear more cases from the docket also comes after the administration laid off over 100 EOIR personnel, including judges, lawyers and interpreters.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 15 Apr. 2025
The woman, who was using a walker, had an interpreter to assist her but no attorney.
—Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for interpreter
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ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2025
The group chatted backstage after their set on Saturday with the help of an interpreter — though not Jake and Jay, who are fluent in English.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2025
The push to clear more cases from the docket also comes after the administration laid off over 100 EOIR personnel, including judges, lawyers and interpreters.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 15 Apr. 2025
The woman, who was using a walker, had an interpreter to assist her but no attorney.
—Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for interpreter
Cite this Entry
“Interpreter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interpreter. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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