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

So, dear reader, my password story for May 1 has less to do with making your password stronger and everything to do with getting access to your Gmail account back after a Gmail password hacker has compromised it and locked you out. —Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

During holidays, donate new or gently used books, household items, clothing, cellphones, sunglasses or readers, etc. —Sahmie S. Wytewa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2025

Our readers have been saving their favorite casseroles, sandwiches, breads, and more. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2025

Millay, an assiduous reader and enthusiastic quoter of poetry, was surely familiar with their work. —A.o. Scott, New York Times, 1 May 2025

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