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
While most of us would run a mile, Colin appears grateful for the attention of this god-like man, who defies the tough biker stereotype by playing piano and reading, his glasses almost turning him into a different person.
—
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
The scripture readings at the Mass focused on the figure of St. Peter and the central passage from John’s Gospel, a text seen as foundational to the pope’s ministry as St. Peter’s successor.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 18 May 2025
Most book tours, even for really high-profile ones, are just a series of public interviews and readings.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2025
Every year, Katherine hosts her book club’s annual reading retreat at our house in Connecticut.
—Martha Hall Kelly, People.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reading
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
The scripture readings at the Mass focused on the figure of St. Peter and the central passage from John’s Gospel, a text seen as foundational to the pope’s ministry as St. Peter’s successor.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 18 May 2025
Most book tours, even for really high-profile ones, are just a series of public interviews and readings.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2025
Every year, Katherine hosts her book club’s annual reading retreat at our house in Connecticut.
—Martha Hall Kelly, People.com, 16 May 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 24 May. 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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