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
Pam Freir2
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
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
Friday’s retaliatory attacks, which followed the killing of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter, posed a test for the ties between the US and Syria just more than one year after rebel groups toppled Bashar al-Assad.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 21 Dec. 2025
The slain interpreter was identified as Ayad Mansoor Sakat.
—CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025
To hear Jafar Panahi’s full interview, with interpreter Sheida Dayani, subscribe to the Filmmaker Toolkit podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2025
The civilian interpreter who was killed in Palmyra, Syria, over the weekend has been identified as Ayad Mansoor Sakat.
—Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for interpreter
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J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 21 Dec. 2025
The slain interpreter was identified as Ayad Mansoor Sakat.
—CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025
To hear Jafar Panahi’s full interview, with interpreter Sheida Dayani, subscribe to the Filmmaker Toolkit podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2025
The civilian interpreter who was killed in Palmyra, Syria, over the weekend has been identified as Ayad Mansoor Sakat.
—Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for interpreter
Cite this Entry
“Interpreter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interpreter. Accessed 26 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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