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
Synonyms
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
Here’s some essential reading: 5 tips for cooking juicy pork chops quickly
6 tips for browning food to get more flavor
7 pie crust tips for tender, flaky results every time
Baking spices add complexity to savory dishes.
—
Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
The eclipse offers researchers a unique opportunity, because scientists will know exactly when and where to fire their rockets to get the best readings, NASA said.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
One postcard, for example, included a family photograph alongside a secret reading, My brother doesn’t realize his father isn’t the same as our father.
—Hazlitt, 3 Apr. 2024
So the reading glasses weren't for reading as much as for other daily tasks, like threading a needle, quickly figuring out change at a cash register or weeding and sorting grain on a family farm.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 3 Apr. 2024
The book swarms with references to artists and thinkers who have experienced or theorized sensory deprivation, but these mostly function to aerate the first-person narrative and to show the breadth of Eliza’s reading.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2024
In March, data from GfK suggested this is the best consumers have felt about their personal finances since December 2021, which last month came in at a positive reading.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 2 Apr. 2024
Seating is at the bar and in an adjacent room called The Commons, which doubles as a community gathering/co-working space and an event space for readings and other activities.
—USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
As a fellow writer, I was impressed by the depth and breadth of his reading.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
The eclipse offers researchers a unique opportunity, because scientists will know exactly when and where to fire their rockets to get the best readings, NASA said.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
One postcard, for example, included a family photograph alongside a secret reading, My brother doesn’t realize his father isn’t the same as our father.
—Hazlitt, 3 Apr. 2024
So the reading glasses weren't for reading as much as for other daily tasks, like threading a needle, quickly figuring out change at a cash register or weeding and sorting grain on a family farm.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 3 Apr. 2024
The book swarms with references to artists and thinkers who have experienced or theorized sensory deprivation, but these mostly function to aerate the first-person narrative and to show the breadth of Eliza’s reading.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2024
In March, data from GfK suggested this is the best consumers have felt about their personal finances since December 2021, which last month came in at a positive reading.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 2 Apr. 2024
Seating is at the bar and in an adjacent room called The Commons, which doubles as a community gathering/co-working space and an event space for readings and other activities.
—USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
As a fellow writer, I was impressed by the depth and breadth of his reading.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reading.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to reading
Dictionary Entries Near reading
Cite this Entry
“Reading.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reading. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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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