reader

noun

read·​er ˈrē-dər 

1

a

: one that reads

a magazine with three million readers

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 can display text (as that of a book or magazine)

c

: an electronic device that scans coded information (as on credit 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 of reader

• compilation
• anthology

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

Millions of people watch us every week on television, billions engage with our journalism across YouTube and TikTok, our podcasts continue to reach new audiences, and our digital journalism is connecting with more readers than ever before. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026

That means another trip to Curry Gate might be in my future — along with visits to the other Charlotte restaurants that readers swear serve some of the city’s hottest dishes. — Evan Moore july 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026

Goddard said the department let its previous operating agreement with Flock lapse last week because of lingering questions over who owns the data collected by the company’s plate readers and who has access to it. — Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

This story’s author, StyleCaster commerce editor Katie Decker-Jacoby, scours the internet for the best of the best to ensure readers walk away with items recommended by our team, industry experts, and more. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 15 July 2026

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

Rhymes for reader

• bleeder
• breeder
• feeder
• leader
• lieder
• meader
• pleader
• reeder
• seeder
• weeder
• cheerleader
• proofreader

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