interpreter
noun
in·ter·pret·er
in-ˈtər-prə-tər 
-pə-
plural interpreters
1
: someone or something that interprets: such as
a
: someone who translates for individuals or groups conversing in different languages
an interpreter at the United Nations
a sign language interpreter
b
: someone who explains or expounds
Aside from his Nobel Prize-winning work on quantum electrodynamics (don't ask), [Richard P.] Feynman was an interpreter of Maya hieroglyphics …—
Pam Freir
Pam Freir2
a
: a machine that prints on punch cards the symbols recorded in them by perforations
b
: a computer program that executes each of a set of high-level instructions before going to the next instruction
Examples of interpreter in a Sentence
He has now learned English well enough that he can conduct interviews without an interpreter.
Monet is generally regarded as the foremost interpreter of pure impressionism.
Recent Examples on the Web
Longer response times suggest that the human interpreter is growing uncertain or unreliable, which is why each clip has to be viewed by a second retainee.
—Laila Lalami, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
With the help of an interpreter and a laptop, the Norwegian explained the footage about the Sami culture.
—Vicky Hallett, NPR, 15 Feb. 2025
However, on March 10, the interpreter was told to cease communication with the parents, according to the lawsuit.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2025
Sharifi, who was an interpreter for the U.S. military, opened his store in 2018, a few years after moving with his family to Sacramento on special immigrant visas.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for interpreter
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Laila Lalami, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
With the help of an interpreter and a laptop, the Norwegian explained the footage about the Sami culture.
—Vicky Hallett, NPR, 15 Feb. 2025
However, on March 10, the interpreter was told to cease communication with the parents, according to the lawsuit.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2025
Sharifi, who was an interpreter for the U.S. military, opened his store in 2018, a few years after moving with his family to Sacramento on special immigrant visas.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for interpreter
Cite this Entry
“Interpreter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interpreter. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
interpreter
noun
in·ter·pret·er
in-ˈtər-prət-ər
1
: one that interprets
especially
: a person who translates orally for people speaking different languages
2
: a computer program that translates an instruction into machine language and executes it before going to the next instruction
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