interpreter

noun

in·​ter·​pret·​er in-ˈtər-prə-tər How to pronounce interpreter (audio)
-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
2
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to a new report, federal prosecutors have asked for a nearly five-year sentence and $18.1 million in restitution in the case of Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025 Her legal team specifically cited a ruling from the same year by the European Court of Human Rights, which concluded Knox’s rights to a lawyer and an interpreter were violated during her initial interrogations with Italian authorities. Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2025 The recording served as a quick example of the extraordinary trust between Ohtani and Mizuhara that went beyond normal arrangements between a baseball player and an interpreter. Evan Drellich, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025 Bong — who wrote, directed, and produced the film — explained the title change via an interpreter at CinemaCon. Zoe Guy, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for interpreter 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of interpreter was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near interpreter

Cite this Entry

“Interpreter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interpreter. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

interpreter

noun
in·​ter·​pret·​er in-ˈtər-prət-ər How to pronounce interpreter (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on interpreter

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