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
Regalado would not comment about an automatic license plate reader operated by the state that is near the south end of the Jewfish Creek Bridge leading in and out of Key Largo and whether it’s being used in the operations.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 5 Dec. 2025
While many authors — and readers — contend the best approach in a book-and-adaptation situation is to read the source material first, McFadden says her take isn't as simple as that.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
Cole's car was also spotted by a license plate reader less than half a mile from where the person was seen on the footage, the document states.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
Save as a collection on MyRecipes What once began as a causal challenge to our readers is now an annual tradition at Southern Living.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reader
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David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 5 Dec. 2025
While many authors — and readers — contend the best approach in a book-and-adaptation situation is to read the source material first, McFadden says her take isn't as simple as that.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
Cole's car was also spotted by a license plate reader less than half a mile from where the person was seen on the footage, the document states.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
Save as a collection on MyRecipes What once began as a causal challenge to our readers is now an annual tradition at Southern Living.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reader
Cite this Entry
“Reader.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reader. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
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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