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
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
Make this required reading for the other 90 players.
—
Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Be sure to read for both your sun and your rising sign for the most accurate reading.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025
Though the reading was driven largely by a surge in imports ahead of President Donald Trump’s tariff order in early April, the report raised cautionary flags about the potential for the economy to tip into recession.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 1 May 2025
His hobbies include reading, listening to music and going on long, winding adventures on his road bike.
—Thomas Saccente, Arkansas Online, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reading
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Be sure to read for both your sun and your rising sign for the most accurate reading.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025
Though the reading was driven largely by a surge in imports ahead of President Donald Trump’s tariff order in early April, the report raised cautionary flags about the potential for the economy to tip into recession.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 1 May 2025
His hobbies include reading, listening to music and going on long, winding adventures on his road bike.
—Thomas Saccente, Arkansas Online, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reading
Cite this Entry
“Reading.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reading. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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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