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
Costumed interpreters encourage hands-on experiences such as dyeing and spinning wool, kneading bread, and trying old-fashioned soda water.
—Sarah Miller, Midwest Living, 13 Jan. 2026
An interpreter translated the judge’s comments for him.
—Claire Rush, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Leo Strauss, one of Plato’s most important modern interpreters, was a refugee from Nazi Germany, where the banning and burning of subversive books was extremely popular, especially with college students.
—Adam Kirsch, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
Zentner also took issue with Fitzpatrick’s assertion that Bowman should have ensured Troconis had a Spanish-speaking interpreter when speaking with investigators.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for interpreter
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Sarah Miller, Midwest Living, 13 Jan. 2026
An interpreter translated the judge’s comments for him.
—Claire Rush, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Leo Strauss, one of Plato’s most important modern interpreters, was a refugee from Nazi Germany, where the banning and burning of subversive books was extremely popular, especially with college students.
—Adam Kirsch, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
Zentner also took issue with Fitzpatrick’s assertion that Bowman should have ensured Troconis had a Spanish-speaking interpreter when speaking with investigators.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 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 15 Jan. 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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