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)
(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
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
And that, dear reader, is where the danger list comes in.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
These peers became my first readers, accountability buddies, and partners in promoting my book.
—Jaclyn Westlake, CNBC, 24 May 2025
About This Episode Grumpy helps a reader deal with pests attacking their basil plants.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
Halstenberg became a subject of interest after an automatic license-plate reader linked his pickup truck to a location near the start of the Line fire, which began Sept. 5.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reader
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Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
These peers became my first readers, accountability buddies, and partners in promoting my book.
—Jaclyn Westlake, CNBC, 24 May 2025
About This Episode Grumpy helps a reader deal with pests attacking their basil plants.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
Halstenberg became a subject of interest after an automatic license-plate reader linked his pickup truck to a location near the start of the Line fire, which began Sept. 5.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 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 28 May. 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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