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
Judge Ling asked a boy named Anthony, through a Spanish interpreter.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 20 June 2026
The officers on the blue vessel spoke English and shouted orders via interpreters.
—Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
Each time Yamamoto took the mound, his interpreter, Sonoda, sat on the dugout ledge, scribbling his own notes to help streamline Yamamoto’s process.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 13 June 2026
Several American Sign Language interpreters were temporarily seen on screen on the ground level with fans, a feature that usually has interpreters on the same platform as performers off to the side of the stage.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for interpreter
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E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 20 June 2026
The officers on the blue vessel spoke English and shouted orders via interpreters.
—Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
Each time Yamamoto took the mound, his interpreter, Sonoda, sat on the dugout ledge, scribbling his own notes to help streamline Yamamoto’s process.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 13 June 2026
Several American Sign Language interpreters were temporarily seen on screen on the ground level with fans, a feature that usually has interpreters on the same platform as performers off to the side of the stage.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 13 June 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 24 Jun. 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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