literature

noun

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lit·er·a·ture | \ ˈli-tə-rə-ˌchu̇r

, ˈli-trə-ˌchu̇r, ˈli-tər-ˌchu̇r, ˈli-tə-, -chər, -ˌtyu̇r, -ˌtu̇r

Definition of literature

1a(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 The independent panel of disease-prevention experts analyzes medical research and literature and issues periodic advice on measures to help keep Americans healthy. — orlandosentinel.com, 12 Oct. 2021 The independent panel of disease-prevention experts analyzes medical research and literature and issues periodic advice on measures to help keep Americans healthy. — CBS News, 12 Oct. 2021 The independent panel of disease-prevention experts analyzes medical research and literature and issues periodic advice on measures to help keep Americans healthy. — cleveland, 12 Oct. 2021 The independent panel of disease-prevention experts analyzes medical research and literature and issues periodic advice on measures to help keep Americans healthy. — Lindsey Tanner, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Oct. 2021 Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor of dynamite who died in 1896, left much of his fortune for the creation of the annual prizes in physics, chemistry, medicine, peace and literature. — Time, 11 Oct. 2021 And Abdulrazak Gurnah took home the literature award. — Marisa Dellatto, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2021 Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor of dynamite who died in 1896, left much of his fortune for the creation of the annual prizes in physics, chemistry, medicine, peace and literature. — Niclas Rolander, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2021 Each year, the Nobel Committee plucks a single author from the vast stream of world literature and, by anointing one, implicitly raises that writer above all the rest, in a way that is obviously misleading. — Kristen Roupenian, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2021

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