reading

1 of 2

noun

read·​ing ˈrē-diŋ 

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

reading

2 of 2

present participle of read entry 1

Synonyms of reading

Noun

• interpretation
• version
• rendition

Examples of reading in a Sentence

Noun

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

Noun

Listening Beyond The Written Words The habit is active listening (or reading). — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Retail spending has trended lower in recent months, and the weak July reading raised questions whether the mighty US consumer might finally be buckling under the weight of higher inflation, mounting consumer debt and persistent economic uncertainty. — Matt Stiles, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026

Students at Pine Grove studied reading, grammar, math, geography, art, music — and history. — Nora Oakes Howard, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026

Owners' equivalent rent, and actual rents, posted some of their weakest readings since 2021. — Kelly Evans, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reading

• first reading
• light reading
• poetry reading
• reading desk
• reading frame
• reading glasses
• required reading
• second reading
• speed-reading
• third reading

Rhymes for reading

• bedding
• dreading
• heading
• shedding
• shredding
• sledding
• spreading
• threading
• treading
• wedding
• beheading
• embedding

Kids Definition

reading

noun

read·​ing

ˈrēd-iŋ

1

: something to be read or for reading

2

: a particular version

3

: the number or fact shown on an instrument

the thermometer reading was 20 degrees

4

: an individual explanation of something

Geographical Definition

Reading

geographical name

Read·​ing ˈre-diŋ 

1

town in eastern Massachusetts north of Boston

2

city on the Schuylkill River in southeastern Pennsylvania

3

town on the Thames River in southern England that is the capital of Berkshire

Biographical Definition

Reading

biographical name

Read·​ing ˈre-diŋ 

1st Marquis of 1860-1935 Rufus Daniel Isaacs British statesman; viceroy of India (1921-26)