reading

1 of 2

noun

read·​ing ˈrē-diŋ How to pronounce reading (audio)
Synonyms of readingnext
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

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Noun

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The world of spellwork scams has been documented at length on Reddit, where users report paying anonymous healers for palm readings and magical cleansings. — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 The only group to meet or exceed that benchmark was Asian students, who scored above 75 in all three categories (reading, math and science). — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026 Intelligence on the strike targets does not need to positively identify people on the boat or locate narcotics aboard, Kaine said, based on his reading of the criteria. — Laura Romero, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 At 47, there is room for this stock to turn back up without fighting an overbought reading. — Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reading

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of reading was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing reading

Rhymes for reading

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Browse Nearby Words

readiness
reading
Reading
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reading.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reading. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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 How to pronounce Reading (audio)
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 How to pronounce Reading (audio)
1st Marquis of 1860-1935 Rufus Daniel Isaacs British statesman; viceroy of India (1921-26)

More from Merriam-Webster on reading

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reading

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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