compiler

[ kuhm-pahy-ler ]

noun

1. a person who compiles, or gathers things together.
2. Also called com·pil·ing rou·tine [k, uh, m-, pahy, -ling roo-teen]. Computers. a computer program that translates a program written in a high-level language into another language, usually machine language. Compare interpreter ( def 3a ).

compiler

/ kəmˈpaɪlə /

noun

1. a person who collects or compiles something
2. a computer program by which a high-level programming language, such as COBOL or FORTRAN, is converted into machine language that can be acted upon by a computer Compare assembler

compiler

/ kəm-pī′lər /

1. A computer program associated with certain programming languages that converts the instructions written in those languages into machine code that can later be executed directly by a computer.
2. See more at programming language

Other Words From

• pre·com·pil·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of compiler¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English compilour, from Anglo-French; Old French compileor, from Late Latin compīlātor; equivalent to compile + -er ²

Example Sentences

Last century, program compilers accelerated software development by rapidly translating commands into ones and zeros that computers can understand.

From Seattle Times

By contrast, Now was a joint venture between two of the UK's biggest record labels, EMI and Virgin, giving compilers immediate access to the day's biggest songs.

From BBC

Edward Mathers worked as a crossword compiler for The Observer newspaper under the pseudonym Torquemada.

From Scientific American

He joined the growing computer research team at Carnegie Mellon, working on programming architecture such as compilers, which “translate” source code into specific functions.

From Washington Post

There, he worked on computer architecture and programming languages, particularly compilers, which translate programs written in so-called “high level” languages, like today’s Java or C++, into steps a computer can execute.

From New York Times

Related Words

• connoisseur
• hobbyist