the action or practice of a person who reads.
Speech. the oral interpretation of written language.
the interpretation given in the performance of a dramatic part, musical composition, etc..
an interesting reading of Beethoven's 5th Symphony.
the extent to which a person has read; literary knowledge.
a man of wide reading.
matter read or for reading.
a novel that makes good reading.
the form or version of a given passage in a particular text.
the various readings of a line in Shakespeare.
an instance or occasion in which a text or other matter is read or performed, usually without elaborate preparation and often as a means of testing its merits.
The playwright wants to have a reading of the play for prospective producers.
an interpretation given to anything.
What is your reading of the situation?
the indication of a graduated instrument.
The reading is 101.2°F.
pertaining to or used for reading.
reading glasses.
given to reading.
the reading public.
Rufus Daniel Isaacs, 1st Marquis of, 1860–1935, Lord Chief Justice of England 1913–21; viceroy of India 1921–26.
a city in Berkshire, in S England.
a city in SE Pennsylvania.
a town in E Massachusetts, near Boston.
a city in SW Ohio.
the act of a person who reads
( as modifier )
a reading room
a reading lamp
ability to read
( as modifier )
the reading public
a child of reading age
any matter that can be read; written or printed text
a public recital or rendering of a literary work
the form of a particular word or passage in a given text, esp where more than one version exists
an interpretation, as of a piece of music, a situation, or something said or written
knowledge gained from books
a person of little reading
a measurement indicated by a gauge, dial, scientific instrument, etc
parliamentary procedure
the formal recital of the body or title of a bill in a legislative assembly in order to begin one of the stages of its passage
one of the three stages in the passage of a bill through a legislative assembly See first reading second reading third reading
the formal recital of something written, esp a will
a town in S England, in Reading unitary authority, Berkshire, on the River Thames: university (1892). Pop: 232 662 (2001)
a unitary authority in S England, in Berkshire. Pop: 144 100 (2003 est). Area: 37 sq km (14 sq miles)
First recorded before 900; Middle English redyng (gerund), Old English rǣdinge; see read 1, -ing 1, -ing 2
You can use the noun reading for something you read and also the act of interpreting or understanding it. Your favorite reading might be science fiction — if you're a true fan, you spend hours reading it daily. There are many closely-related definitions of reading, from a live performance like a poetry reading or a minister's Bible reading, to an individual interpretation of written material, like your feminist reading of classic fairy tales. Meter readers also take readings, or measurements: "The readingshowed that we used much more electricity last month." There are, in addition, several towns in the UK and the US called Reading, but those are usually pronounced redding.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
READING, England — Graham Smith has plans for the queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend, but they do not include enjoying the festivities or attending a neighborhood street party.
From New York Times • Jun. 2, 2022
How do you form a synopsis of the verb BE READING, with the nominative I? thou? he? we? you? they? the boy? the boys?
From The Grammar of English Grammars by Brown, Goold
"READING between the Lines" is a dangerous occupation—when there's a Train coming.
From Punch, Or The London Charivari, Volume 102, January 16, 1892 by Various
I am truly, Dear Sir, Your most obedt and humbl servant, READING, the 2d Dec.,
From American Historical and Literary Antiquities, Part 14. Second Series by Smith, John Jay
"READING," she said, her eyes flashing at the insult in the accusation that she had let people attack him to her.
From The Cost by Phillips, David Graham
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
