reading

IPA/ˈriːdɪŋ/
KK[rˈidɪŋ]IPA/ˈriːdɪŋ/

reading — noun

  • readingsingular
  • readingsplural

1. the activity of looking at written words and understanding their meaning, especi

1.nounA2
Definition

the activity of looking at written words and understanding their meaning, especially as a skill or a regular hobby

Example

Hannah spends most of her free time doing light reading before bed.

collocation: light reading

The school placed a strong emphasis on reading and writing from an early age.

Common collocations
  • light reading
  • wide reading
  • reading material
  • reading habit
  • reading ability
Synonyms
  • literacy

    specifically the ability to read and write, not the activity itself

  • perusal

    formal term for a careful reading of a document

Usage Note

Uncountable in this sense — you say 'I enjoy reading', not 'a reading'.

Common Mistakes

I need to do a reading for my history class tomorrow.' (when referring to the activity)
I need to do some reading for my history class tomorrow.
As a general activity, 'reading' is uncountable.

2. an event where a piece of writing, especially a poem or a passage from a book, i

2.nounB1
Definition

an event where a piece of writing, especially a poem or a passage from a book, is read aloud to an audience

Example

The poet gave a moving reading of her latest work at the Manchester literature festival.

give + a reading

Ada signed up for the open-mic poetry reading at the local café next Thursday.

Common collocations
  • give a reading
  • poetry reading
  • dramatic reading
  • book reading
  • public reading
Synonyms
  • recital

    often refers to a musical performance or a poetry-reading event

  • performance

    broader term; a reading is one type of performance

3. a particular way of understanding or explaining a written text, a situation, or

3.nounB2
Definition

a particular way of understanding or explaining a written text, a situation, or a set of events

Example

The critic offered a fresh reading of the novel that focused on its environmental themes.

offered a reading of [text]

My reading of the situation is that both sides want to avoid a long dispute.

my reading of [situation/event]

Common collocations
  • reading of the situation
  • close reading
  • personal reading
  • fresh reading
  • alternative reading
Synonyms
  • interpretation

    almost identical to this sense; 'reading' often carries a slightly more subjective tone

  • version

    emphasises a particular account or perspective on events

  • understanding

    broader; can refer to general comprehension rather than a specific viewpoint

Usage Note

Often followed by 'of + [text/situation/event]'. The adjective 'personal' is common: 'my personal reading of the facts'.

Common Mistakes

What is your reading on this problem?
What is your reading of this problem?
Use 'of', not 'on', to introduce the thing being interpreted.

4. one of the formal stages in a parliament where a proposed new law is discussed a

4.nounB2
Definition

one of the formal stages in a parliament where a proposed new law is discussed and considered before it can be approved

Example

The bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons by a narrow majority.

second reading / first reading / third reading

Heloísa watched the first reading of the housing bill from the public gallery.

Common collocations
  • first reading
  • second reading
  • third reading
  • pass its reading
  • the reading of a bill

Usage Note

Countable and typically used with an ordinal number (first, second, third reading). This usage is primarily British — other parliaments may use different terms for similar procedures.

5. the number or value shown on a measuring instrument such as a thermometer, a met

5.nounB1
Definition

the number or value shown on a measuring instrument such as a thermometer, a meter, or a gauge

Example

The temperature reading on the thermometer reached a record 39 degrees in London.

temperature reading / [instrument] reading

Rachid checked the gas meter reading before submitting it to the utility company.

Common collocations
  • take a reading
  • temperature reading
  • meter reading
  • get a reading
  • accurate reading
Synonyms
  • measurement

    the process of measuring; a 'reading' is the specific result shown at one moment

  • figure

    less technical; any displayed number

  • indication

    formal; what the instrument tells you

6. written texts or publications that people read or that are suggested for a parti

6.nounB1
Definition

written texts or publications that people read or that are suggested for a particular purpose

Example

The teacher gave us a list of recommended reading before the start of term.

recommended reading

Maeve packed some light reading for the train journey to Edinburgh.

collocation: light reading

Common collocations
  • recommended reading
  • essential reading
  • required reading
  • light reading
  • further reading
  • holiday reading
Synonyms
  • texts

    broader term; includes any written content, not necessarily intended for reading enjoyment

  • literature

    more formal; often refers to scholarly or artistic writing

Usage Note

Uncountable here — you say 'some reading', not 'a reading', when referring to material rather than an event. Countable when referring to a specific text ('a reading from Shakespeare').

7. a brief passage taken from a holy book and read aloud during a worship service

7.nounB2
Definition

a brief passage taken from a holy book and read aloud during a worship service

Example

The vicar chose a reading from the Gospel of John for the Sunday service.

a reading from [holy text]

Heather's grandmother always did the Bible reading at the family Christmas gathering.

Common collocations
  • a reading from
  • Bible reading
  • scripture reading
  • the first reading
  • the second reading
Synonyms
  • lesson

    the specific church term for a Bible passage read aloud during a service

  • passage

    any short section of text, not limited to religious use

Usage Note

Countable: 'a reading', 'two readings'. Often followed by 'from' (a reading from the Quran / the Torah / the Bible).

Idioms

Reading, Massachusetts

idiom

a town in eastern Massachusetts, north of Boston, United States

The Watanabe family moved to Reading, Massachusetts, because of its good public schools.

Reading, Pennsylvania

idiom

a city on the Schuylkill River in southeastern Pennsylvania, United States

Reading, Pennsylvania, was once a major centre for the railway industry.

Reading, Berkshire

idiom

a large town on the River Thames in Berkshire, southern England, about 60 km west of London

Reading is home to the University of Reading and hosts a famous summer music festival.

Marquess of Reading

idiom

a title held by Rufus Daniel Isaacs (1860–1935), a British statesman who served as Viceroy of India from 1921 to 1926

The first Marquess of Reading was known for his work as a lawyer and later as a colonial administrator.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/3

These words all relate to how someone makes sense of something, but with different emphases. 'Interpretation' suggests a deliberate process of explaining meaning and is the most formal of the group, often used in academic or legal contexts ('a strict interpretation of the law'). 'Version' emphasises that different people may tell the same events in different ways, each shaped by their own perspective ('her version of what happened'). 'Understanding' is the broadest term and can range from basic comprehension to a deep appreciation of a subject ('a thorough understanding of the issues'). 'Take' is informal and conversational, common in everyday speech ('what's your take on the new policy?'). 'Reading' sits between interpretation and understanding: it implies a considered viewpoint, often based on careful thought, but is less formal than interpretation.

interpretation ↗version ↗understanding ↗take ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • reading material
  • reading ability
  • reading habit
  • reading list
  • reading comprehension

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'reading' comes from the Old English verb 'rædan', which originally meant 'to advise, interpret, or explain' as well as 'to read written symbols'. This Old English root traces back to the Proto-Germanic '*rēdaną' (to advise, to interpret). The meaning gradually shifted over centuries from 'interpreting mysterious signs' to the modern sense of 'understanding written language'. The noun form 'reading' appeared in Middle English, first referring to the act of interpretation and later to the activity of looking at written texts.

First known use

12th century

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1