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 lamp

      a reading room

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 Words From

• non·reading noun
• self-reading 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

Separately, 84% of the CFOs surveyed by Deloitte for their quarterly survey, coming out later today, say the stock market is overvalued…the second highest reading in the survey’s history.

From Fortune

In the past few years Jensen’s gallery has branched out, hosting public speakings, book readings, musical performances and sit-down meals.

From Ozy

The product blends readings from thousands of ground stations, weather balloons and satellites, and it uses weather models to intelligently fill in the blanks.

From Quanta Magazine

In order to pass, the bill must be approved in two more Knesset readings.

From Washington Blade

From a more diverse required reading list to structural reforms, students are increasingly stepping up to force change, with groups such as Diversify Our Narrative organizing online.

From Ozy

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

From The Daily Beast

Once I began reading, I realized A Gronking to Remember was a masturbatory tribute to the New England Patriots.

From The Daily Beast

I gave a reading last week with someone who had taken a class of mine.

From The Daily Beast

My choice is that it should be required reading by those who run the city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

From The Daily Beast

Corden has actually been attached to Into the Woods since the first reading of the screenplay two-and-a-half years ago.

From The Daily Beast

The lady in black was reading her morning devotions on the porch of a neighboring bathhouse.

From Project Gutenberg

I do not care very much how you censor or select the reading and talking and thinking of the schoolboy or schoolgirl.

From Project Gutenberg

While Louis was reading these dispatches, he received a summons from Elizabeth, to attend her immediately.

From Project Gutenberg

Lawrence and Dan were passing a newspaper office, before which a large crowd had gathered, reading the war bulletins.

From Project Gutenberg

This reading secures scarcely anything more than a succession of sights to the eye or sounds to the ear.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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