The paper presents a theoretical overview of the concept of working memory and its application in interpreting research. Three representative models of working memory, as developed in cognitive psychology, are discussed and compared. Three selected models of the interpreting process illustrate the theoretical approaches to modelling the role of working memory in (simultaneous) interpreting. Three selected types of studies illustrate empirical approaches to researching the role of working memory in interpreting. Finally, suggestions are made for future research to investigate more working memory functions and to relate them more directly to the interpreting process.