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 )

      a child of reading age

      the reading public

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

A bill's first reading is a formality, where Leadbeater read out its name in the Commons and a date was set for the next stage.

From BBC

In my house, I’ll be literally reading scripts, writing jokes, writing movies, in my garden.

From Los Angeles Times

Much of the information in the play’s 145 minutes will be familiar to anyone who has spent time reading Gentileschi’s Wikipedia page or has seen other recent plays inspired by her life.

From New York Times

It accurately distinguished colors across seven out of its eight detectable wavelengths, and its readings at 620 nm were highly similar to commercial chlorophyll meters.

From Science Daily

If the wrecking amendment is passed, or if the bill is rejected at second reading, that is the end of the road.

From BBC

Related Words

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