reading

¹

[ree-ding]

noun

1. the action or practice of a person who reads.

2. Speech.,  the oral interpretation of written language.

3. the interpretation given in the performance of a dramatic part, musical composition, etc..

   an interesting reading of Beethoven's 5th Symphony.

4. the extent to which a person has read; literary knowledge.

   a man of wide reading.

5. matter read or for reading.

   a novel that makes good reading.

6. the form or version of a given passage in a particular text.

   the various readings of a line in Shakespeare.

7. 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.

8. an interpretation given to anything.

   What is your reading of the situation?

9. the indication of a graduated instrument.

   The reading is 101.2°F.

adjective

1. pertaining to or used for reading.

   reading glasses.

2. given to reading.

   the reading public.

Reading

²

[red-ing]

noun

1. Rufus Daniel Isaacs, 1st Marquis of, 1860–1935, Lord Chief Justice of England 1913–21; viceroy of India 1921–26.

2. a city in Berkshire, in S England.

3. a city in SE Pennsylvania.

4. a town in E Massachusetts, near Boston.

5. a city in SW Ohio.

reading

¹

/ ˈriːdɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. the act of a person who reads

   2. ( as modifier )

      a reading room

      a reading lamp

2. 1. ability to read

   2. ( as modifier )

      the reading public

      a child of reading age

3. any matter that can be read; written or printed text

4. a public recital or rendering of a literary work

5. the form of a particular word or passage in a given text, esp where more than one version exists

6. an interpretation, as of a piece of music, a situation, or something said or written

7. knowledge gained from books

   a person of little reading

8. a measurement indicated by a gauge, dial, scientific instrument, etc

9. parliamentary procedure

   1. 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

   2. one of the three stages in the passage of a bill through a legislative assembly See first reading second reading third reading

10. the formal recital of something written, esp a will

Reading

²

/ ˈrɛdɪŋ /

noun

1. a town in S England, in Reading unitary authority, Berkshire, on the River Thames: university (1892). Pop: 232 662 (2001)

2. a unitary authority in S England, in Berkshire. Pop: 144 100 (2003 est). Area: 37 sq km (14 sq miles)

Other Word Forms

• nonreading noun
• self-reading adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reading¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English redyng (gerund), Old English rǣdinge; read ¹, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Mr. Tines gave the texts suitably dramatic readings, but his singing voice proved heavy and overly emphatic for this Renaissance style.

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It may be a while until the BLS releases data that would confirm or contradict that variety of readings.

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The latest reading—the highest since July 2024—compared with the median forecast for a 2.2% rise in a Wall Street Journal poll of seven economists.

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But this history argues against, not for, the President’s reading of the law.

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This figure has been below the 50-percent reading that would indicate growth in the sector for eight straight months now.

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Related Words

• account 
• education 
• examination 
• knowledge 
• learning 
• lesson 
• review 
• study 
• translation 
• version