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
Lina da Anunciação served as the interpreter for interviews conducted with Portuguese speakers.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 29 Nov. 2025
Many others who came over on the program served alongside American forces as interpreters and support staff.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
Advertisement Witkoff was criticized early on by Zelensky and others for allegedly parroting Russian talking points and even relying during diplomatic talks on the Kremlin’s Russian language interpreter.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 26 Nov. 2025
Eva, along with her sister (Sigrid ten Napel), who serves as her interpreter, must find the courage to seek justice.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for interpreter
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Ari Daniel, NPR, 29 Nov. 2025
Many others who came over on the program served alongside American forces as interpreters and support staff.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
Advertisement Witkoff was criticized early on by Zelensky and others for allegedly parroting Russian talking points and even relying during diplomatic talks on the Kremlin’s Russian language interpreter.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 26 Nov. 2025
Eva, along with her sister (Sigrid ten Napel), who serves as her interpreter, must find the courage to seek justice.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 25 Nov. 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 7 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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