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reading

noun read·ing \ ˈrē-diŋ \
|Updated on: 12 Jul 2018
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

See reading defined for English-language learners

See reading defined for kids

Examples of reading in a Sentence

  1. The family attended the reading of her will.

  2. The speech ended with a reading from his latest novel.

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

  4. He needs help in reading.

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

  6. He has done a lot of reading on this subject.

  7. The reading for today is about human cloning.

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

  9. The pastor selected a reading for tonight's service.

Recent Examples of reading from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reading.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of reading

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
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reading Synonyms

Synonyms

assignment, lesson;

Related Words

homework, schoolwork;

lecture;

drill, exercise, practice (also practise);

étude, study;

Reading

biographical name Read·ing \ ˈre-diŋ \
1st Marquis of 1860-1935 Rufus Daniel Isaacs British statesman; viceroy of India (1921-26)

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

Phrases Related to READING

Related Phrases

READING Defined for English Language Learners

reading

noun

  • : the act of reading something

  • : the activity of reading a book, magazine, etc.

  • : a book, article, etc., that is being read or that is intended to be read

READING Defined for Kids

reading

noun read·ing \ ˈrē-diŋ \
1 : the act of reading
  • a poetry reading
2 : something read or available to be read
3 : the number or fact shown on an instrument
  • Take a reading from the thermometer.

Learn More about reading

  1. See words that rhyme with reading Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for reading Spanish Central: Translation of reading Nglish: Translation of reading for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of reading for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reading

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