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
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
His positioning and reading of the game remain sharp, his footwork is clean, and his reactions are quick.
—
Beren Cross, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
This hilarious chapter book is perfect for young independent readers or for parents to read aloud with their kids; the cartoon-style illustrations add even more fun and humor to the reading experience.
—Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 15 Oct. 2025
But the only thing really able to break this brawl up was Terrence calling Lisa in for her reading, which surprisingly is about her and John drifting apart.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
Allwood Mayflower Base House Allwood’s Mayflower Base tiny house features 117 square feet of space, which may not seem like enough to fully downsize, but offers just enough room to create an office, art studio, reading room, or workshop right in your backyard.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reading
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Beren Cross, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
This hilarious chapter book is perfect for young independent readers or for parents to read aloud with their kids; the cartoon-style illustrations add even more fun and humor to the reading experience.
—Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 15 Oct. 2025
But the only thing really able to break this brawl up was Terrence calling Lisa in for her reading, which surprisingly is about her and John drifting apart.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
Allwood Mayflower Base House Allwood’s Mayflower Base tiny house features 117 square feet of space, which may not seem like enough to fully downsize, but offers just enough room to create an office, art studio, reading room, or workshop right in your backyard.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reading
Cite this Entry
“Reading.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reading. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationGeographical 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)
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