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
Several American Sign Language interpreters were temporarily seen on screen on the ground level with fans, a feature that usually has interpreters on the same platform as performers off to the side of the stage.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
Courts have held that the right to an interpreter is protected by the Sixth Amendment, which guarantees the right to a fair trial – including understanding court proceedings and communicating with counsel.
—Carol Rose Little, The Conversation, 12 June 2026
The daylong event includes historic interpreters, living history tutorials, local historical societies, a yelling contest and more.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 12 June 2026
Harbour, working with ASL interpreters on set, adapted the lines as written to fit the rhythms and structures of ASL parlance.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for interpreter
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Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
Courts have held that the right to an interpreter is protected by the Sixth Amendment, which guarantees the right to a fair trial – including understanding court proceedings and communicating with counsel.
—Carol Rose Little, The Conversation, 12 June 2026
The daylong event includes historic interpreters, living history tutorials, local historical societies, a yelling contest and more.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 12 June 2026
Harbour, working with ASL interpreters on set, adapted the lines as written to fit the rhythms and structures of ASL parlance.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for interpreter
Cite this Entry
“Interpreter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interpreter. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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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