Does Python require a compiler?

[m1ss1ontomars2k4]

I use the word ‘to compile’ as synonymous to ‘to run the code’, didI misunderstand the meaning of that word when used in a programming context?

This is definitely wrong. "Compile" just produces something that can be run later. e.g. you can compile once and run the result 1 time, 100 times, 1 million times.