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)
(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
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
Jeanne RayExamples 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
Ballroom funding, affordable housing and Bobby Pulido, in readers’ eyes.
—Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 10 May 2026
Vote below, and check back on Friday to see who Vogue readers crowned best dressed.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 10 May 2026
In their latest book, readers are transported to 1942 New York to learn how the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) turned to an unlikely ally — the mob — to protect America’s waterfronts, the synopsis shared.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
From a city budget crisis to a gubernatorial endorsement and the prolonged closure of a Highway 50 ramp, Sacramento Bee readers had plenty to track this week.
—Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026
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Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 10 May 2026
Vote below, and check back on Friday to see who Vogue readers crowned best dressed.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 10 May 2026
In their latest book, readers are transported to 1942 New York to learn how the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) turned to an unlikely ally — the mob — to protect America’s waterfronts, the synopsis shared.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
From a city budget crisis to a gubernatorial endorsement and the prolonged closure of a Highway 50 ramp, Sacramento Bee readers had plenty to track this week.
—Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for reader
Cite this Entry
“Reader.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reader. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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