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
In his first interview out of Cannes through a Russian-language interpreter, Zvyagintsev speaks about his unlikely return.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
In addition to her professional career, Hill is also a grandmother, sign-language interpreter and musician.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
By this point, Jarrín was firmly in place as the team’s lead Spanish-language play-by-play announcer — particularly in the wake of Fernandomania the season before, when Jarrín’s profile was raised as Fernando Valenzuela‘s interpreter during his media interviews.
—Ed Guzman, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Garcia said through an interpreter.
—Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for interpreter
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David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
In addition to her professional career, Hill is also a grandmother, sign-language interpreter and musician.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
By this point, Jarrín was firmly in place as the team’s lead Spanish-language play-by-play announcer — particularly in the wake of Fernandomania the season before, when Jarrín’s profile was raised as Fernando Valenzuela‘s interpreter during his media interviews.
—Ed Guzman, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Garcia said through an interpreter.
—Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for interpreter
Cite this Entry
“Interpreter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interpreter. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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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