interpreter

[ in-tur-pri-ter ]

noun

1. a person who interprets.
2. a person who provides an oral translation between speakers who speak different languages.
3. Computers.
   1. 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 ).
   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.

interpreter

/ ɪnˈtɜːprɪtə /

noun

1. a person who translates orally from one language into another
2. a person who interprets the work of others
3. computing
   1. 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
   2. a machine that interprets the holes in a punched card and prints the corresponding characters on that card

Derived Forms

• inˈterpreterˌship, noun
• inˈterpretress, noun:feminine

Word History and Origins

Origin of interpreter¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English interpretour, from Anglo-French; equivalent to interpret + -er ²

Example Sentences

Voters with language access needs may require an interpreter to help them with their ballot.

From ProPublica

Become an interpreterIf you speak another language, it’s possible you may be able to enroll as an interpreter at the polls.

From Popular-Science

Some voters may require an interpreter to help them with their ballot.

From 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.

From 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.

From Ozy

Shadman started as a laborer, but within a year became an interpreter because he could speak English.

From The Daily Beast

Our Pashto interpreter explained how he had pretended to be a Pakistani policeman when interested crowds approached the compound.

From The 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.

From The Daily Beast

But he continued to study English every day and eventually was accepted as an interpreter.

From The Daily Beast

You guard the pontoon bridge with a squad of Iraqi Army soldiers and a single interpreter.

From The Daily Beast

Long before reason found the answer, instinct—swift, merciless interpreter—told him plainly.

From Project Gutenberg

The Patriarch went to him, and, with the help of an interpreter, did for him what pertained to his office as a good Pastor.

From Project Gutenberg

Several American officers were present on the occasion, accompanied by a Spanish half-caste who acted as their interpreter.

From Project Gutenberg

Lowell was frankly worried as he sped away from the agency with Plenty Buffalo and the interpreter.

From Project Gutenberg

"Plenty Buffalo wants to know if you noticed all the pony tracks," said the interpreter.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• artist
• commentator
• editor
• exponent
• linguist
• philosopher
• scholar
• writer