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

Vonnegut’s novel is a gem from a simpler era of possible space exploration, complete with the dumbest Martian invasion in literature, kitelike beings that subsist on Mercury’s vibrations, and, of course, Vonnegut’s perennial alien characters, the Tralfamadorians. —Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 12 June 2026

According to the literature, our challenge with empathy is not merely due to our inward-facing framing but also because empathy is many-fold. —Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

She was named a dame, the female equivalent of a knighthood, for services to literature, a title that Mirren herself was awarded in 2003. —ABC News, 12 June 2026

But White also understood that holding children’s literature to high standards did not necessarily demand a highbrow approach. —Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 12 June 2026

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)