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
At the top of the list are knowledge work jobs such as language interpreters or translators, as well as historians, passenger attendants, sales representatives, writers and customer service representatives, according to Microsoft’s working paper.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 July 2025
At the top of the list of people most likely to have their job affected by the rise of generative AI are interpreters and translators, followed closely by historians, writers and authors and sales representatives.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
The lack of funds is expected to delay pay by three months and threaten access to interpreters and investigators amid immigration raids, said John Baker, the top federal public defender for the Western District of North Carolina.
—Julia Coin
july 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2025
The children from a variety of Spanish-speaking countries, as well as Afghanistan, sat quietly as Sharda explained their legal rights, which were simultaneously translated into Spanish by an interpreter.
—Nicol León, AZCentral.com, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for interpreter
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Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 July 2025
At the top of the list of people most likely to have their job affected by the rise of generative AI are interpreters and translators, followed closely by historians, writers and authors and sales representatives.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
The lack of funds is expected to delay pay by three months and threaten access to interpreters and investigators amid immigration raids, said John Baker, the top federal public defender for the Western District of North Carolina.
—Julia Coin
july 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2025
The children from a variety of Spanish-speaking countries, as well as Afghanistan, sat quietly as Sharda explained their legal rights, which were simultaneously translated into Spanish by an interpreter.
—Nicol León, AZCentral.com, 22 July 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 8 Aug. 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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