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

An immemorial theme of French literature, la montée à Paris—the ascent to Paris—doesn’t come off as an overly recommendable move. —Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 19 May 2025

Sarah Jessica Parker ‘enraged’ about threat to public libraries Parker was honored with a PEN/Audible Literary Service Honoree for her work as a lifelong reader, stewardess of literature and now publisher with her SJP imprint. —Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 17 May 2025

Meanwhile, a life of the mind, often expressed in creativity, especially literature, painting, and poetry has been demoted. —Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

More than 850 local suppliers contributed to the ambitious task of constructing the legendary town of Macondo from the ground up, turning a cornerstone of Colombian literature into a tangible, culturally rich reality. —Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 15 May 2025

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)