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

• 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

Philadelphia native Atkins has been an ASL interpreter at Essence Fest the past two years, according to NOLA.com. —Kathleen Newman-Bremang, refinery29.com, 7 July 2025

Although the Biden administration staffed its press briefings with qualified ASL interpreters, that policy was discontinued by the Trump White House on the first day of his second administration. —Jade Walker, CNN Money, 3 July 2025

An interpreter sat to his right, and an attorney from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was on a video monitor. —Renata Daou, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025

The charging document does not specify Marie's country of origin, but the court reports that an interpreter has been secured for him. —Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 25 June 2025

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