reader

[ ree-der ]

noun

1. a person who reads.
2. a schoolbook for instruction and practice in reading.

   a second-grade reader.

3. a book of collected or assorted writings, especially when related in theme, authorship, or instructive purpose; anthology:

   a Hemingway reader; a sci-fi reader.

4. a person employed to read and evaluate manuscripts offered for publication.
5. a proofreader.
6. a person who reads or recites before an audience; elocutionist.
7. a person authorized to read the lessons, Bible, etc., in a church service.
8. a lecturer or instructor, especially in some British universities:

   to be appointed reader in English history.

9. an assistant to a professor, who grades examinations, papers, etc.
10. Computers. a device that reads data, programs, or control information from an external storage medium for transmission to main storage. Compare optical character reader.
11. a machine or device that projects or enlarges a microform image on a screen or other surface for reading.
12. a playing card marked on its back so that the suit or denomination of the card can be identified.
13. Library Science. the user of a library; library patron.

reader

/ ˈriːdə /

noun

1. a person who reads
2. a person who is fond of reading
3. 1. at a university, a member of staff having a position between that of a senior lecturer and a professor
   2. a teaching assistant in a faculty who grades papers, examinations, etc, on behalf of a professor
4. 1. a book that is part of a planned series for those learning to read
   2. a standard textbook, esp for foreign-language learning
5. a person who reads aloud in public
6. a person who reads and assesses the merit of manuscripts submitted to a publisher
7. a person employed to read proofs and indicate errors by comparison with the original copy; proofreader
8. short for lay reader
9. Judaism another word for cantor

Other Words From

• non·reader noun
• sub·reader noun
• under·reader noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reader¹

before 1000; Middle English reder ( e ), redar ( e ), Old English rǣdere. See read ¹, -er ¹

Example Sentences

I hope readers will get to know these young women — some of them again — through the words and photos of our latest story.

From New York Times

A reader can be forgiven for making deductions.

From New York Times

But whether Martial meant this literally or was using a little creative license of his own is up for readers to debate.

From Los Angeles Times

Fulham are flying and regular readers will know I am a big fan of them when they play at home.

From BBC

“Our presence is our voice,” said one note calling for readers to pack the courtroom for Ridley-Thomas’ sentencing.

From Los Angeles Times