Reading
/ˈriːdɪŋ/
Definitions
6 meaningsThe act of looking at and understanding written words or symbols.
/ˈriːdɪŋ/
The act of looking at and comprehending written or printed matter.
She is good at reading.
💡 Simply: It's like when you look at words on a page and your brain figures out what they mean. Like when you read a bedtime story!
👶 For kids: When you look at words in a book and understand what they say!
More Examples
The reading of the minutes was approved at the meeting.
How It's Used
"The students spent an hour on silent reading."
"She enjoys reading novels in her free time."
A piece of written or printed material that is read.
/ˈriːdɪŋ/
Material that is read; a particular piece of text.
The reading for this week is chapter 3.
💡 Simply: The actual words you're looking at. Like a page from a book, a news article, or even a sign!
👶 For kids: Something you can read, like a book or a sign!
More Examples
She offered the children some light reading.
How It's Used
"We were assigned a difficult reading for homework."
"The newspaper provided a good reading on the current political situation."
A public performance of written material.
/ˈriːdɪŋ/
The author is giving a reading at the local bookstore.
💡 Simply: When someone reads aloud to an audience, like a poet sharing their poems or an actor rehearsing lines.
👶 For kids: When someone reads a story or poem out loud to other people!
More Examples
The actor's reading brought the character to life.
How It's Used
"The author gave a reading of her new poetry collection."
"The actor gave a reading of the script."
An interpretation or understanding of something.
/ˈriːdɪŋ/
Her reading of the situation was accurate.
💡 Simply: How you understand something. Like, how you figure out what someone *really* means when they say something.
👶 For kids: How you understand something, like how you feel about a situation.
More Examples
The politician's reading of public opinion was off.
How It's Used
"His reading of the data was insightful."
"She had a good reading of the situation."
A measurement or value as indicated by a device.
/ˈriːdɪŋ/
A measurement or value indicated by a device or instrument.
The blood pressure reading was normal.
💡 Simply: The number a machine shows you. Like the temperature on a thermometer or how fast you're going in a car!
👶 For kids: The number that a machine shows you!
More Examples
The meter reading was unusually high.
How It's Used
"The temperature reading was 25 degrees Celsius."
"The gauge showed a dangerous pressure reading."
The present participle of the verb 'read'.
/ˈriːdɪŋ/
The process of interpreting written words.
She is reading a novel.
💡 Simply: The activity of reading. Like you are doing right now!
👶 For kids: When you are looking at words in a book and understanding them!
More Examples
The child is learning by reading.
How It's Used
"The students are currently reading their history textbooks."
"I enjoy reading mystery novels."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
take a rain check
To postpone an offer or invitation to a later time.
"I'm busy tonight, but can I take a rain check on that dinner?"
between the lines
To discern a meaning that is not explicitly stated.
"Reading between the lines, I realized he wasn't happy."
close reading
A careful and detailed examination of a text.
"In literary analysis, students practice close reading to analyze the text's nuances."
From Middle English *reding*, *reeding*, from Old English *rīedung* (“a reading, perusal, perusal of text”), from Proto-Germanic *rīdaną* (“to read”).
The word 'reading' has been used since Old English times, initially referring to the act of perusing a text. It expanded to include different meanings over the centuries.
Memory tip
Think of a book and your eyes scanning the words.
Word Origin
"the act of reading, perusal"