Interpretation Meaning
/ɪnˌtɜːpɹəˈteɪʃən/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounAn act of interpreting or explaining something unclear; a translation; a version.
nounA sense given by an interpreter; an exposition or explanation given; meaning.
Sentence Examples
The question permits of only one interpretation.
The interpretation of this data, however, is very much in dispute.
Her evidence suggests a different interpretation of the events.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The judge gave his ____ of the law, explaining how it applies to the case.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
His ____ of the poem was quite different from mine, but I found his ideas to be very interesting.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English interpretacioun, from the Anglo-Norman form of Old French interpretacion, from Latin interpretātiō, noun of action from interpretor (“to explain, expound, interpret, understand, conclude, infer, comprehend”). Morphologically interpret + -ation.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Again, the multiplist would hold that the grounds for separating admissible from inadmissible interpretations cannot be the same as the grounds for preferability among admissible interpretations."
— 1993, Michael Krausz, Rightness and Reasons: Interpretation in Cultural Practices, →ISBN, page 27:
"Interpretation studies is a young discipline, much younger than translation studies, and it cannot claim a long tradition and history of reflexions ^([sic]) and studies."
— 2002, Alessandra Riccardi, Translation Studies: Perspectives on an Emerging Discipline, Cambridge University Press, →ISBN, page 90:
"The most pervasive need of non-English-speaking immigrants and refugees is interpretation for every English transaction. Interpretation is needed in stores, schools, and job training, and it is of critical importance in health care."
— 2013, Sana Loue, Handbook of Immigrant Health, Springer Science & Business Media, →ISBN, page 61:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The judge gave his ____ of the law, explaining how it applies to the case.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
His ____ of the poem was quite different from mine, but I found his ideas to be very interesting.