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

In early 2024, the sport’s biggest name became embroiled in legal controversy when his personal interpreter and close confidant, Ippei Mizuhara, was found to have wired large payments from the player’s account to a bookmaking operation then under federal investigation. —Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025

Yes, interpreters are available on site. —Lauren De Young, AZCentral.com, 24 Oct. 2025

His solicitor informed the judge there would be no application for bail at this stage, and that an Arabic interpreter had been booked to assist him during the proceedings, The Irish Times reported. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025

Ultimately, it was ruled that Shohei Ohtani was actually a victim of fraud when his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, stole millions of dollars from him to pay off gambling debts. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 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