interpreter

[ in-tur-pri-ter ]

/ ɪnˈtɜr prɪ tər /

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noun

a person who interprets.

a person who provides an oral translation between speakers who speak different languages.

Computers.

hardware or software that transforms one statement at a time of a program written in a high-level language into a sequence of machine actions and executes the statement immediately before going on to transform the next statement.Compare compiler (def. 2).
an electromechanical device that reads the patterns of holes in punched cards and prints the same data on the cards, so that they can be read more conveniently by people.

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Origin of interpreter

1350–1400; Middle English interpretour<Anglo-French; see interpret, -er²

Words nearby interpreter

interposition, interpret, interpretation, interpretative, interpreted language, interpreter, interpretive, interpretive centre, interpretive semantics, interprofessional, interprovincial

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use interpreter in a sentence

Voters with language access needs may require an interpreter to help them with their ballot.
A Guide to In-Person Voting vs. Mail-In Voting|by Cynthia Gordy Giwa|October 22, 2020|ProPublica
Become an interpreterIf you speak another language, it’s possible you may be able to enroll as an interpreter at the polls.
Five ways to help democracy even if you can’t vote|Sandra Gutierrez G.|October 21, 2020|Popular-Science
Some voters may require an interpreter to help them with their ballot.
Your Guide to Voting in Illinois|by ProPublica|October 8, 2020|ProPublica
While interpreters the world over are likely to have faced similar difficulties, the live broadcast provided an especially stark contrast with Japan, where a recent debate for the leadership of the ruling party was an infinitely more staid affair.
Election live updates: Debate commission says it will change structure to ensure more ‘orderly discussion’|John Wagner, Felicia Sonmez, Amy B Wang|September 30, 2020|Washington Post

That change came after officers failed to provide an interpreter to a deaf woman who was wrongfully arrested after her mother assaulted her.
Will America’s Police Finally Listen to Deaf People?|Charu Kasturi|September 30, 2020|Ozy
Shadman started as a laborer, but within a year became an interpreter because he could speak English.
Special Forces’ $77M ‘Hustler’ Hits Back|Kevin Maurer|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Our Pashto interpreter explained how he had pretended to be a Pakistani policeman when interested crowds approached the compound.
I Shot Bin Laden|Elliot Ackerman|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The grunt takes a hard look at our interpreter, rotates his M16 and opens the vehicle door, motioning for us to get out.
Heart of Darkness: Into Afghanistan’s Taliban Valley|Matt Trevithick, Daniel Seckman|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But he continued to study English every day and eventually was accepted as an interpreter.
Obama Went to War to Save Them, But They Can’t Get U.S. Visas|Christine van den Toorn, Sherizaan Minwalla|September 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You guard the pontoon bridge with a squad of Iraqi Army soldiers and a single interpreter.
Whatever You Do Someone Will Die. A Short Story About Impossible Choices in Iraq|Nathan Bradley Bethea|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Long before reason found the answer, instinct—swift, merciless interpreter—told him plainly.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
The Patriarch went to him, and, with the help of an interpreter, did for him what pertained to his office as a good Pastor.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Several American officers were present on the occasion, accompanied by a Spanish half-caste who acted as their interpreter.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
Lowell was frankly worried as he sped away from the agency with Plenty Buffalo and the interpreter.
Mystery Ranch|Arthur Chapman
"Plenty Buffalo wants to know if you noticed all the pony tracks," said the interpreter.
Mystery Ranch|Arthur Chapman

British Dictionary definitions for interpreter

interpreter

/ (ɪnˈtɜːprɪtə) /

noun

a person who translates orally from one language into another

a person who interprets the work of others

computing

a program that translates a second program to machine code one statement at a time and causes the execution of the resulting code as soon as the translation is completed
a machine that interprets the holes in a punched card and prints the corresponding characters on that card

Derived forms of interpreter

interpretership, nouninterpretress, fem n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

interpreter

Origin of interpreter

Words nearby interpreter

Words related to interpreter

How to use interpreter in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for interpreter

Derived forms of interpreter