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 Shohei Ohtani interpreter scandal Shohei Ohtani’s former translator Ippei Mizuhara surrenders to federal officials in L.A. Why feds say Shohei Ohtani is a ‘victim’: Interpreter allegedly paid gambling debts pretending to be Dodger. Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024 Rita interpreted in court for the Spanish-dominant accused, advocating for state interpreter certification. Richard J. Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2024 Shohei Ohtani's interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was charged with stealing $16 million from the MLB star. USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024 Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara is in talks to plead guilty to the theft of the baseball star’s money. Trisha Garcia-Easto, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024 Being an interpreter is great, but singing your own songs is a completely different thing. Billboard Italy, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024 Last week, as the team played two regular-season games against the San Diego Padres in Seoul, news reports emerged linking Ohtani and his longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, to a gambling scandal. Tim Arango Sinna Nasseri, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024 What to know about the Shohei Ohtani interpreter gambling scandal. Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024 And then the interpreter somehow gets total access to your bank account? Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interpreter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 20 Apr. 2024.

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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