reader

noun

read·​er ˈrē-dər 

1

a

: one that reads

a magazine with three million readers

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 can display text (as that of a book or magazine)

c

: an electronic device that scans coded information (as on credit 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 of reader

• compilation
• anthology

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

With rich, Italian pork sausage, bell peppers, and black beans, this is one dish our readers can’t get enough of, even picky eaters. —Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2025

The tip and surveillance video, along with the use of license-plate reader technology, led investigators to a car rental agency in Massachusetts. —Luke Barr, ABC News, 19 Dec. 2025

The rush of first love, the mystery of the Cullens, the campy glittering skin – for many readers, Stephenie Meyer’s series was the first that got them into reading. —Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025

Everand and Fable's data showed that the number of spicy books read actually rises with age, peaking among Gen X readers. —Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025

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

Rhymes for reader

• bleeder
• breeder
• feeder
• leader
• lieder
• meader
• pleader
• reeder
• seeder
• weeder
• cheerleader
• proofreader

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