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
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
See All Example Sentences for interpreter
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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
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 Jul. 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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