literature

noun

lit·​er·​a·​ture ˈli-tə-rə-ˌchu̇r 

ˈli-trə-ˌchu̇r,

ˈli-tər-ˌchu̇r,

ˈli-tə-,

-chər,

-ˌtyu̇r 

-ˌtu̇r

1

a(1)

: writings in prose or verse

especially : writings having excellence of form or expression and expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest

literature stands related to man as science stands to nature

—J. H. Newman

(2)

: an example of such writings

what came out, though rarely literature, was always a roaring good story

—People

b

: the body of writings on a particular subject

scientific literature

c

: the body of written works produced in a particular language, country, or age

French literature

Renaissance literature

d

: printed matter (such as leaflets or circulars)

campaign literature

2

: the production of literary work especially as an occupation

Literature is his profession.

3

: the aggregate of a usually specified type of musical compositions

the Brahms piano literature

4

archaic : literary culture

Examples of literature in a Sentence

She took courses in history and literature.

Her education gave her an appreciation for great literature.

He's an expert in American literature.

the literature of the Renaissance

studies in different Asian literatures

Can you send me some literature about your product?

Recent Examples on the Web

Conduct literature provided women and men with pointed guidance about how to choose a spouse. —TIME, 22 Apr. 2024

Johnson said young people have complex lives and face many of the same issues as adults, but that reality often does not get reflected into literature, turning them off to some books. —Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024

Indeed, the university set the scene for the millennial love story Normal People, where Connell and Marianne’s fraught romance was set against the backdrop of their time studying English literature and history and politics, respectively. —Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 19 Apr. 2024

At the time, the literature advised divorced parents to never say anything unkind about one’s ex. —Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 19 Apr. 2024

The academic literature on hairy robots is sadly limited — and the results are mixed. —Eve Peyser, The Verge, 18 Apr. 2024

And not many came there from Harvard, as Randall did, arriving with a cum laude degree in English and American literature. —Steve Hochman, SPIN, 15 Apr. 2024

His life encompassed the greatest achievement ever in language and literature. —Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024

Kumar got some help from a package of cessation literature and quitting aids from CU's Health Promotion program. —John Daley - Colorado Public Radio, NPR, 9 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin litteratura writing, grammar, learning, from litteratus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing literature

• gray literature

Kids Definition

literature

noun

lit·​er·​a·​ture ˈlit-ə-rə-ˌchu̇(ə)r  ˈli-trə- 

-chər

1

: written works having excellence of form or expression and ideas of lasting and widespread interest

2

: written material (as of a period or on a subject)