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

• exponent
• expounder
• guru
• high priest
• practitioner

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

At Abu Ghraib, he was moved from a tent through a screening center to his first interrogation, with an interpreter and an interrogator, who was a tall man wearing civilian clothes. —Mattathias Schwartz, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2024

The interpreter, a longtime friend of Ohtani’s named Ippei Mizuhara, allegedly stole vast sums of money from a bank account established in Ohtani’s name. —Brian Fung, CNN, 13 Apr. 2024

Mizuhara was not only Ohtani’s interpreter but also a close friend and constant presence beside him. —Andrew Blankstein, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024

Mizuhara had worked with the Dodgers as Ohtani's interpreter after serving in the same capacity with the Angels. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2024

Shohei Ohtani interpreter scandal Shohei Ohtani’s former translator Ippei Mizuhara surrenders to federal officials in L.A. Why feds say Shohei Ohtani is a ‘victim’: Interpreter allegedly paid gambling debts pretending to be Dodger. —Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024

Rita interpreted in court for the Spanish-dominant accused, advocating for state interpreter certification. —Richard J. Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2024

Shohei Ohtani's interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was charged with stealing $16 million from the MLB star. —USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara is in talks to plead guilty to the theft of the baseball star’s money. —Trisha Garcia-Easto, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024

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