reading

When you look at words on a page or screen and understand their meaning, you are reading. This is the most basic and common use of the word — it's what you do with a book, a sign, or a message.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

She was reading a novel when the phone rang.

Are you reading that article right now?

2nounthe activity or skill of reading

As a noun, 'reading' refers to the activity of looking at and understanding written words. You can also use it to talk about the skill itself — how well someone can read.

education, everyday language · Modern, widely used

Reading is one of the best ways to improve your vocabulary.

The teacher assigned some reading for homework.

3nouna formal occasion of reading aloud

A 'reading' can be a special event where someone reads a text out loud to an audience — for example, a poet reading their poems, or a priest reading from a religious text.

literature, religion, arts · Modern, widely used

The author gave a reading from her new book at the library.

There will be a poetry reading at the community centre on Friday.

The priest delivered the first reading from the Bible.

When a machine or instrument — like a thermometer, a meter, or a gauge — shows you a number or value, that number is called a 'reading'. Think of it as what the device is 'telling' you.

science, technology, everyday language · Modern, widely used

The thermometer gave a reading of 38 degrees.

When you form an opinion or interpretation of a situation, a text, or someone's behaviour, that is your 'reading' of it. It's like saying 'this is how I understand it'.

everyday language, literature, politics · Modern, widely used · figurative

My reading of the situation is that she was upset but didn't want to show it.

The director's reading of the play was very different from the original.

What is your reading of the new government policy?