reader

noun

read·​er ˈrē-dər 

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)

: proofreader

(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

: anthology

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

Synonyms

• album
• anthology
• collectanea
• compendium
• compilation
• florilegium
• miscellany

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

From securing funding to building sustainable networks, Finney’s advice cuts through the noise and equips readers with the tools to create thriving businesses. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 26 Dec. 2024

The readers’ representative office is online at latimes.com/readersrep. —Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024

Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians. —Sasha C. Wells / Made By History, TIME, 26 Dec. 2024

Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez: A masterpiece that exposes readers to lyrical prose and emotional depth. —Harrison Monarth, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing reader

• e-reader
• lay reader
• mind reader

Kids Definition

reader

noun

read·​er ˈrēd-ər 

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