reader

noun

read·​er ˈrē-dər 

1

a

: one that reads

b

: one appointed to read to others: such as

(1)

: lector

(2)

: one chosen to read aloud selected material in a Christian Science church or society

c(1)

: proofreader

(2)

: one who evaluates manuscripts

(3)

: one who reads periodical literature to discover items of special interest or value

d

: an employee who reads and records the indications of meters

e

: a teacher's assistant who reads and marks student papers

2

British : one who reads lectures or expounds subjects to students

3

a

: a device for projecting a readable image of a transparency

b

: an electronic device that scans coded information (as on punch cards or bar codes) for storage or computation

4

a

: a book for instruction and practice especially in reading

b

: anthology

5

readers plural : eyeglasses used for reading or close work : reading glasses

Gilda came back with a pair of readers and, looking through her glasses, gave my eyelids serious consideration.

—Jeanne Ray

Synonyms

• album
• anthology
• collectanea
• compendium
• compilation
• florilegium
• miscellany

Examples of reader in a Sentence

The book's ending leaves readers to draw their own conclusions.

a magazine with three million readers

Recent Examples on the Web

Through that framework, the author examines ways to help readers maintain security and satisfaction throughout their lives. —Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 17 July 2024

Every weekday morning, more than 125,000 readers trust CEO Daily for insights about–and from inside–the C-suite. —Adriana Gomez Licon, Fortune, 17 July 2024

The memoir became a cultural talking point after Trump's presidential victory in 2016, with some readers seeking insights from the book about Trump's appeal to rural voters. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 17 July 2024

An avid reader, Silverman wrote the play fast after being immersed in Charlotte Brontë’s letters. —Celia Wren, Washington Post, 17 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing reader

• e-reader
• lay reader
• mind reader

Kids Definition

reader

noun

read·​er ˈrēd-ər 

1

: a person who reads

2

a

: a device that makes a readable image

a microfilm reader

b

: a machine for acquiring data (as for a computer)

a card reader

3

: a book for learning or practicing reading