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
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
Jeanne RaySynonyms
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
Through playful illustrations and introspective prose, the author guides readers on a journey of questioning and self-discovery, offering a refreshing perspective on the transformative potential of tears.
—Roxsy Lin, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2024
Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians.
—Daniel Schlozman & Sam Rosenfeld / Made By History, TIME, 10 June 2024
The information the source supplies must be newsworthy and give readers genuine insight.
—Jazmine Ulloa, New York Times, 9 June 2024
In the summer of 2003, readers were riveted by the plight of Elizabeth Smart, a 14-year-old girl kidnapped at knifepoint in her bedroom at her family's house in Salt Lake City and held captive for nine months by Brian David Mitchell, a religious fanatic who claimed to be a prophet named Immanuel.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 7 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for reader 
Roxsy Lin, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2024
Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians.
—Daniel Schlozman & Sam Rosenfeld / Made By History, TIME, 10 June 2024
The information the source supplies must be newsworthy and give readers genuine insight.
—Jazmine Ulloa, New York Times, 9 June 2024
In the summer of 2003, readers were riveted by the plight of Elizabeth Smart, a 14-year-old girl kidnapped at knifepoint in her bedroom at her family's house in Salt Lake City and held captive for nine months by Brian David Mitchell, a religious fanatic who claimed to be a prophet named Immanuel.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 7 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for reader
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.
Dictionary Entries Near reader
Cite this Entry
“Reader.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reader. Accessed 15 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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