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

2

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

Synonyms of interpreter

• practitioner
• exponent

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

Santos, wearing a beige crewneck sweatshirt, tan pants, and headphones to listen to a Spanish interpreter, did not visibly react when his sentence was imposed. —Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026

Uribe apologized through an interpreter, but also directed some of the blame toward the Cardinals. —Jim Hoehn, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026

Imai asked his interpreter, Shio Enomoto, whether the duo should even go into the dugout during the ninth inning. —Chandler Rome, New York Times, 26 May 2026

One of a handful of centuries-old lighthouses still standing in the Outer Banks today, the Ocracoke Lighthouse is open to visitors at ground level and often has National Park Service interpreters on site to share information about the beacon. —Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 22 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing interpreter

• through an interpreter

Kids 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