reading

[ ree-ding ]

/ ˈri dɪŋ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR reading ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

adjective

pertaining to or used for reading: reading glasses.

given to reading: the reading public.

Origin of reading

before 900; Middle English redyng (gerund), Old English rǣdinge. See read¹, -ing¹, -ing²

Words nearby reading

reader, readership, readies, readily, readiness, reading, reading chair, reading desk, reading group, reading notice, reading room

Definition for reading (2 of 3)

Reading

[ red-ing ]

/ ˈrɛd ɪŋ /

noun

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.

Definition for reading (3 of 3)

read ¹

[ reed ]

/ rid /

verb (used with object), read [red] /rɛd/, read·ing [ree-ding] /ˈri dɪŋ/.

to look at carefully so as to understand the meaning of (something written, printed, etc.): to read a book; to read music.

to utter aloud or render in speech (something written, printed, etc.): reading a story to his children; The actor read his lines in a booming voice.

to have such knowledge of (a language) as to be able to understand things written in it: to be able to read French.

to apprehend the meaning of (signs, characters, etc.) otherwise than with the eyes, as by means of the fingers: to read Braille.

to apprehend or interpret the meaning of (gestures, movements, signals, or the like): to read a semaphore; to read sign language.

to make out the significance of by scrutiny or observation: to read the cloudy sky as the threat of a storm; a fisherman skilled in reading a stream for potential pools.

to anticipate, expect, or calculate by observation: At the line of scrimmage, the quarterback read a blitz and called an audible.

to foresee, foretell, or predict: to read a person's fortune in tea leaves.

to make out the character, motivations, desires, etc., of (a person or persons), as by the interpretation of outward signs.

to interpret or attribute a meaning to (a written text), a musical composition, etc.): How do you read this clause in the contract?

to infer (something not expressed or directly indicated) from what is read, considered, or observed: He read an underlying sarcasm into her letter. In your silence I read agreement to my plan.

to adopt or give as a reading in a particular passage: For “one thousand” another version reads “ten thousand.”

to substitute or replace (a particular word or phrase) in a written text, usually to correct an error: Read “cavalry” for “calvary.”

to check (printers' proofs, copy, etc.) for errors; proofread.

to register or indicate, as a thermometer, clock, etc.

Computers. to obtain (data, programs, or control information) from an external storage medium or some other source and place in memory.

British. to study (a subject), as at a university: to read law.

to read the work of (an author): She is reading Kafka.

to learn by or as if by reading: to read a person's thoughts.

to hear and understand (a transmitted radio message or the person transmitting it); receive: I read you loud and clear.

to bring, put, etc., by reading: to read oneself to sleep.

to give one (a lecture or lesson) by way of admonition or rebuke.

to discover or explain the meaning of (a riddle, dream, etc.).

verb (used without object), read [red] /rɛd/, read·ing [ree-ding] /ˈri dɪŋ/.

to read or peruse written or printed matter.

to utter aloud or render in speech written or printed words that one is perusing: to read to a person.

to give a public reading or recital.

to inspect and apprehend the meaning of written or other signs or characters.

to occupy oneself seriously with reading or study.

to obtain knowledge or learn of something by reading.

to admit of being read, especially properly or well.

to have a certain wording.

to admit of being interpreted: a rule that reads in two different ways.

to register or indicate particular information, as the status or condition of something: Her blood pressure is reading a little low today.

to have an effect or make an impression; show forth: Those battle photographs read with great impact.

Computers. to read data, programs, or control information.

noun

an act or instance of reading: Give the agreement a careful read before you sign it.

something that is read: Her new novel is a wonderful read.

Verb Phrases

read in, Computers. to place (data, programs, or control information) in memory.

read out,

to read aloud, as for someone's attention.
Computers. to retrieve (information) from a computer.

read out of, to oust from membership in (a political party or other group) by a public announcement of dismissal: He was read out of the association because of alleged subversive activities.

read up on, to learn about by reading; gather information on; research by reading: You'd better read up on World War I before taking the history test.

Origin of read

before 900; Middle English reden, Old English rǣdan to counsel, read; cognate with Dutch raden, German raten, Old Norse rātha; akin to Sanskrit rādhnoti (he) achieves

SYNONYMS FOR read

1 peruse, scan, note, study.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR read ON THESAURUS.COM

Example sentences from the Web for reading

It's cheesy and ludicrous and, therefore, delightful; it's the reading equivalent of hate-watching.

‘A Gronking to Remember’ Speed Read: 8 Naughtiest Bits |Emily Shire |January 7, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
I gave a reading last week with someone who had taken a class of mine.

Daphne Merkin on Lena Dunham, Book Criticism, and Self-Examination |Mindy Farabee |December 26, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Corden has actually been attached to Into the Woods since the first reading of the screenplay two-and-a-half years ago.

New ‘Late Late Show’ Host James Corden Would Like to Manage Your Expectations |Kevin Fallon |December 18, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The remark comes to mind while reading The Selected Letters of Norman Mailer.

Mailer’s Letters Pack a Punch and a Surprising Degree of Sweetness |Ronald K. Fried |December 14, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

After reading Ever Yours, if nothing else, one can start to understand how such a fanatic mind could produce such fanatic art.

Decoding Vincent Van Gogh’s Tempestuous, Fragile Mind |Nick Mafi |December 7, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The latter had been reading a new publication, which she laid down at the voice of the butler announcing a visitor.

Newton Forster |Captain Frederick Marryat
He went on reading the papers and presently exclaimed: Its a frame-up.

Under Cover |Roi Cooper Megrue
All the editions adopt the reading is sinne, as in all the MSS.

Chaucer's Works, Volume 5 (of 7) -- Notes to the Canterbury Tales |Geoffrey Chaucer
"In Caesar's name," repeated the official, who had been selected for the duty of reading the Imperial message.

Serapis, Complete |Georg Ebers
The question was put for engrossing the bill for a third reading, and carried, there being fifty votes in favor of it.

Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. II (of 16) |Thomas Hart Benton

British Dictionary definitions for reading (1 of 4)

reading

/ (ˈriːdɪŋ) /

noun

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 assemblySee first reading, second reading, third reading

the formal recital of something written, esp a will

British Dictionary definitions for reading (2 of 4)

Reading

/ (ˈrɛdɪŋ) /

noun

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)

British Dictionary definitions for reading (3 of 4)

read ¹

/ (riːd) /

verb reads, reading or read (rɛd)

to comprehend the meaning of (something written or printed) by looking at and interpreting the written or printed characters

to be occupied in such an activity he was reading all day

(when tr , often foll by out) to look at, interpret, and speak aloud (something written or printed) he read to us from the Bible

(tr) to interpret the significance or meaning of through scrutiny and recognition he read the sky and predicted rain; to read a map

(tr) to interpret or understand the meaning of (signs, characters, etc) other than by visual means to read Braille

(tr) to have sufficient knowledge of (a language) to understand the written or printed word do you read German?

(tr) to discover or make out the true nature or mood of to read someone's mind

to interpret or understand (something read) in a specified way, or (of something read) to convey a particular meaning or impression I read this speech as satire; this book reads well

(tr) to adopt as a reading in a particular passage for ``boon'' read ``bone''

(intr) to have or contain a certain form or wording the sentence reads as follows

to undertake a course of study in (a subject) to read history; read for the bar

to gain knowledge by reading he read about the war

(tr) to register, indicate, or show the meter reads 100

(tr) to bring or put into a specified condition by reading to read a child to sleep

(tr) to hear and understand, esp when using a two-way radio we are reading you loud and clear

computing to obtain (data) from a storage device, such as magnetic tape Compare write (def. 16)

(tr) to understand (written or printed music) by interpretation of the notes on the staff and to be able to reproduce the musical sounds represented by these notes

read a lesson or read a lecture informal to censure or reprimand, esp in a long-winded manner

read between the lines to perceive or deduce a meaning that is hidden or implied rather than being openly stated

you wouldn't read about it Australian informal an expression of dismay, disgust, or disbelief

noun

matter suitable for reading this new book is a very good read

the act of reading

See also read in, read into, read out, read up

Word Origin for read

Old English rǣdan to advise, explain; related to Old Frisian rēda, Old High German rātan, Gothic garēdan

British Dictionary definitions for reading (4 of 4)

read ²

/ (rɛd) /