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 Riklis, known for his empathetic depiction of Israelis and Palestinians in films such as Lemon Tree and Dancing Arabs, her book finds an able interpreter who has stayed true to its ethos.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2025
He was fired by the Dodgers from his job as Ohtani's interpreter after the allegations came to light in March 2024.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
In 2021, Cal/OSHA fined the court $25,000 for multiple health and safety violations after three court interpreters and public defenders died of the virus during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
In opera the same role can transform, again and again, with each new interpreter, even over the lifetime of one singer.
—Joshua Barone, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for interpreter 
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Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2025
He was fired by the Dodgers from his job as Ohtani's interpreter after the allegations came to light in March 2024.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
In 2021, Cal/OSHA fined the court $25,000 for multiple health and safety violations after three court interpreters and public defenders died of the virus during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
In opera the same role can transform, again and again, with each new interpreter, even over the lifetime of one singer.
—Joshua Barone, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for interpreter
Dictionary Entries Near interpreter
Cite this Entry
“Interpreter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interpreter. Accessed 9 Feb. 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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