reading

noun

read·​ing ˈrē-diŋ 

1

: the act of reading

2

a

: material read or for reading

b

: extent of material read

3

a

: a particular version

b

: data indicated by an instrument

4

a

: a particular interpretation of something (such as a law)

b

: a particular performance of something (such as a musical work)

5

: an indication of a certain state of affairs

a study to get some reading of shoppers' preferences

Synonyms

• account
• interpretation
• performance
• rendition
• version

Examples of reading in a Sentence

The family attended the reading of her will.

The speech ended with a reading from his latest novel.

After several readings, I finally understood the meaning of the poem.

He needs help in reading.

The teacher gave us a list of books for further reading on the subject.

He has done a lot of reading on this subject.

The reading for today is about human cloning.

Moby-Dick is required reading for any scholar of 19th-century American literature.

The pastor selected a reading for tonight's service.

Recent Examples on the Web

For instance, markets continued to fall during systemic crises like 2008 despite high VIX readings. —Michael Khouw, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024

Death’s Game is an example of a manhwa adaptation that actually manages to capture the reading experience of the original webtoon—and maybe even improves on it. —Kayti Burt, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024

Instructions are simple to follow: Simply race your gingerbread man to the castle while encountering delicious surprises along the way — no reading required. —Kayla Kitts, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024

One of the reading passages was so ludicrous it was featured on John Oliver. —Kemala Karmen, New York Daily News, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reading

• first reading
• light reading
• poetry reading
• reading desk
• reading frame
• reading glasses
• required reading
• second reading
• speed-reading
• third reading

Kids Definition

reading

noun

read·​ing

ˈrēd-iŋ

1

: something to be read or for reading

2

: a particular version

3

: the number or fact shown on an instrument

the thermometer reading was 20 degrees

4

: an individual explanation of something

Geographical Definition

Reading

geographical name

Read·​ing ˈre-diŋ 

1

town in eastern Massachusetts north of Boston population 24,747

2

city on the Schuylkill River in southeastern Pennsylvania population 88,082

3

town on the Thames River in southern England that is the capital of Berkshire population 219,000

Biographical Definition

Reading

biographical name

Read·​ing ˈre-diŋ 

1st Marquis of 1860-1935 Rufus Daniel Isaacs British statesman; viceroy of India (1921-26)