compiler

noun

com·​pil·​er kəm-ˈpī-lər 

1

: one that compiles

2

: a computer program that translates an entire set of instructions written in a higher-level symbolic language (such as C) into machine language before the instructions can be executed

Examples of compiler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Following a few more years of work, the lexicographer—a studier or compiler of dictionaries—transferred his entire project online for anyone to peruse. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2026

The moves capped a volatile week for Indonesian assets after the index compiler flagged concerns about transparency in Southeast Asia’s biggest market, sending benchmark stocks to their worst two-day rout in nearly three decades before regulators stepped in. —Prima Wirayani, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026

The stock market is enduring its worst rout since 1998 after index compiler MSCI Inc. warned about transparency issues in the nation’s equities. —Richard Frost, Bloomberg, 29 Jan. 2026

And the Cisco compiler takes care of technical networking details like optimizing the connections between quantum processors and fine-tuning error correction strategies. —Margo Anderson, IEEE Spectrum, 9 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for compiler

• profiler
• filer
• pilar
• theiler

Kids Definition

compiler

noun

com·​pil·​er kəm-ˈpī-lər 

1

: one that compiles

2

: a computer program that automatically translates an entire set of instructions written in a computer programming language (as BASIC) into machine language