# parser

/ˈpɑɹsɝ/ (US) · /pˈɑːsɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/parser
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Definition

a computer program or part of a system that breaks down code or text into smaller pieces to understand its structure.

For teachers: a software component or algorithm that analyses a string of symbols or tokens to determine its grammatical structure with respect to a given formal grammar.

## Examples

- The parser found a syntax error in the first line of code.
- When you enter a command, the parser breaks it down to see if the computer can execute the request.
- A robust XML parser must be able to handle nested tags and character encoding issues without crashing the entire application.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in the context of computer science, linguistics, and data processing.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.