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

Word has it that as the team was passing through border security--on the way back to Iran--each woman was taken aside to speak to Australian officials and interpreters without minders listening in. —Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2026

At the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, visitors can find large patches of California poppies, goldfields and other wildflowers, according to state park interpreter Lori Wear. —Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026

With a lesser interpreter in the role, Eva might have read more reductively as just a ruthless bureaucratic leader. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026

In this regard, an alliance led by Common Cause has asked Congress to step in to oversee the DOD’s overreach in issuing an ultimatum to Anthropic and to prevent the DOD from being the sole interpreter of the law under the pretext of national security. —Mohamed Suliman, Boston Herald, 10 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