reader

noun

read·​er ˈrē-dər How to pronounce reader (audio)
1
a
: one that reads
b
: one appointed to read to others: such as
(1)
: lector
(2)
: one chosen to read aloud selected material in a Christian Science church or society
c(1)
(2)
: one who evaluates manuscripts
(3)
: one who reads periodical literature to discover items of special interest or value
d
: an employee who reads and records the indications of meters
e
: a teacher's assistant who reads and marks student papers
2
British : one who reads lectures or expounds subjects to students
3
a
: a device for projecting a readable image of a transparency
b
: an electronic device that scans coded information (as on punch cards or bar codes) for storage or computation
4
a
: a book for instruction and practice especially in reading
b
5
readers plural : eyeglasses used for reading or close work : reading glasses
Gilda came back with a pair of readers and, looking through her glasses, gave my eyelids serious consideration.Jeanne Ray

Examples of reader in a Sentence

The book's ending leaves readers to draw their own conclusions. a magazine with three million readers
Recent Examples on the Web She’s been busy exploring the Milwaukee area food scene to share her favorite finds with readers along the way. Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024 Each month, the SELF Well-Read Book Club highlights a timely, delightful, and crucial book on a subject that helps readers live better lives. Hannah Dylan Pasternak, SELF, 18 Mar. 2024 Help Desk: Making tech work for you Help Desk is a destination built for readers looking to better understand and take control of the technology used in everyday life. Tatum Hunter, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024 The reader is willing to go with you for that distance. Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2024 Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-Year Subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). Simon Hill, WIRED, 17 Mar. 2024 In 2010 after a weekend in Los Cabos, a reader wrote in to request the recipe for scallop ceviche at Tequila & Ceviche Bar at Las Ventanas. Sarah Mosqueda, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2024 His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 16 Mar. 2024 But your question offers a chance to remind readers of the various buckets that make up conference revenue distributions. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reader.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of reader was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near reader

Cite this Entry

“Reader.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reader. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

reader

noun
read·​er ˈrēd-ər How to pronounce reader (audio)
1
: a person who reads
2
a
: a device that makes a readable image
a microfilm reader
b
: a machine for acquiring data (as for a computer)
a card reader
3
: a book for learning or practicing reading

More from Merriam-Webster on reader

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