1
a
: to look at and understand the meaning of letters, words, symbols, etc.
She learned to read at a very early age.
Can you read decimals/music/Braille?
I can't read your handwriting.
He claimed that he could read my palm. [=look at the lines on the palm of my hand and tell me what was going to happen to me in the future]
b
: to read the words of (a book, magazine, etc.)
He likes reading the newspaper.
She reads a lot of mystery novels.
We will be reading (works by) Milton in the class.
She starts work every day by reading her e-mail.
Didn't you read the instructions?
He likes to read.
She doesn't read much.
Please read from Chapter 5 through Chapter 10.
c
: to speak aloud the words of (something written)
He read the poem aloud.
The teacher read a story to us. = The teacher read us a story.
He wrote down the address I gave him and read it back to me.
Her mother read to her every night at bedtime.
2
: to learn information about something from a book, newspaper, etc.
—often + about
I read about the fire in the newspaper.
—sometimes + ofI have read of such things happening elsewhere.
—+ thatI read somewhere that he's making a new movie.
I read that they got married.
3
a
: to learn information about (someone) by looking at how that person behaves
I can't read her—I'm not sure if she likes me or not.
You're an easy person to read.
b
: to learn information about (something) by looking at particular characteristics
A good canoeist can read the rapids.
(golf) She missed the putt because she didn't read the green correctly.
(American football) The quarterback read the defense correctly.
4
: to understand (something) in a particular way
The way I read it, we're supposed to show up at 3 p.m.
The situation is hard to read. [=interpret]
—often + asI read his actions as a cry for help.
5
a
: to show (words) for someone to read
The sign reads [=says] "No Trespassing."
b
: to show (a temperature, weight, number, etc.)
The thermometer reads 90 degrees.
The clock read 4:30.
6
: to be written in a particular way
The definition reads awkwardly. [=the definition is awkwardly written]
This essay will read better if you reorganize it.
The speech reads well. [=the speech is written well]
The first chapters read like a lecture.
7
: to get information from (something)
Someone reads the water meter once a month.
A scanner reads the bar codes on packages.
The computer can't read that disk.
8
: to hear and understand (someone) over a radio
Can you read me now?
I read you loud and clear.
9
: to replace (a word or number) with another word or number
—used to indicate how something written or said should be changed or corrected
In the second problem, read 5 instead of 3. [=the number should be 5, not 3]
10
British
: to study (a subject) especially at a university
He read history at Oxford.
—often + forShe is reading for a business degree.
plural reads
informal
1
: something (such as a book) that is read
—usually singular
The book is an easy read. [=the book is easy to read; reading the book is easy]
The book is a good/quick/enjoyable read.
2
: an act of reading something (such as a book, article, etc.)
He reviewed the book after several reads.
—usually singularGive this article a read [=read this article] and tell me what you think of it.
3
chiefly British
: a period of time spent reading
She was lying in bed having a peaceful read.
: having knowledge that has been gained from reading books, articles, etc.
—used after an adverb
He is well-read.
He is better read than most people.
She is widely read in [=she has read a lot of] American literature.
Cite this Entry
“Read.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/read. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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