English dictionary

reading Meaning & Definition

Q: What is the plural of reading?

The plural of reading is readings.

/ˈɹiːdɪŋ/

What Does Reading Mean?

As a verb, reading means present participle and gerund of read. As a noun, it means The process of interpreting written language. As a noun, it means (legislature) One of several stages a bill passes through before becoming law.

Reading in Brief

Part of speech	verb, noun
Pronunciation	/ˈɹiːdɪŋ/
Synonyms	interpretation, recital and version
Antonyms	pass
Plural	readings

Reading Definition (Verb)

present participle and gerund of read

Reading as a Noun

The process of interpreting written language.
The student is behind in his reading by several chapters.
The process of interpreting a symbol, a sign or a measuring device.
An interpretation.
A value indicated by a measuring device.
He glanced across and took note of the speedometer reading.
An event at which written material is read aloud.
I attended a poetry reading.
The wording of a version of a text in a particular place or context.
A pronunciation associated with a particular character or word; particularly in East Asian scripts.
Some Chinese characters have numerous readings.
Something to read; reading material.
The extent of what one has read.
He's a man of good reading.
One of several stages a bill passes through before becoming law.
A piece of literature or passage of scripture read aloud to an audience.
After the homily there will be two readings from the Bible.
The content of a reading list.
The act or process of imagining sequences of potential moves and responses without actually placing stones.

Verb

To look at and interpret letters or other information that is written.
Have you read this book?
To speak aloud words or other information that is written. Often construed with a to phrase or an indirect object.
All right, class, who wants to read next?
To read work(s) written by (a named author).
At the moment I'm reading Milton.
To interpret, or infer a meaning, significance, thought, intention, etc. from.
I can read his feelings in his face.
To consist of certain text.
On the door hung a sign that reads "No admittance".
Of text, etc., to be interpreted or read in a particular way.
Arabic reads right to left.
To substitute (a corrected piece of text in place of an erroneous one); used to introduce an emendation of a text.
(usually ironic) Used after a euphemism to introduce the intended, more blunt meaning of a term.
To be able to hear what another person is saying over a radio connection.
Do you read me?
To observe and comprehend (a displayed signal)
A repeater signal may be used where the track geometry makes the main signal difficult to read from a distance.
(except Scotland) To make a special study of, as by perusing textbooks.
I am reading theology at university.
To fetch data from (a storage medium, etc.).
to read a hard disk; to read a port; to read the keyboard
To think, believe; to consider (that).
To advise; to counsel. See rede.
To tell; to declare; to recite.
To recognise (someone) as being transgender.
Every time I go outside, I worry that someone will read me.
To call attention to the flaws of (someone) in either a playful, a taunting, or an insulting way.

Noun

(legislature) One of several stages a bill passes through before becoming law.
A piece of literature or passage of scripture read aloud to an audience: readings from the Bible

Synonyms of Reading

interpretation recital version recitationmeter readingclock copy hear receive interpret make outmake sense ofscan understand learn studyread aloud, read out, read out loud, speak

Reading synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Reading

pass

Reading in a Sentence

The student is behind in his reading by several chapters.

That's my reading of the current situation.

He glanced across and took note of the speedometer reading.

I attended a poetry reading.

Some Chinese characters have numerous readings.

He's a man of good reading.

After the homily there will be two readings from the Bible.

Have you read this book?

All right, class, who wants to read next?

At the moment I'm reading Milton.

I can read his feelings in his face.

On the door hung a sign that reads "No admittance".

Arabic reads right to left.

Do you read me?

A repeater signal may be used where the track geometry makes the main signal difficult to read from a distance.

I am reading theology at university.

to read a hard disk; to read a port; to read the keyboard

Every time I go outside, I worry that someone will read me.

a speedometer reading.

a poetry reading.

a reading of the current situation.

Word Forms & Grammar

reading

reading (countable and uncountable, plural readings)

Origin of Reading

Origin 1: From Middle English reding, redyng, redand, from Old English rǣdende, present participle of rǣdan (“to read”), equivalent to read +‎ -ing.

Origin 2: From Middle English reding, redynge, redunge, from Old English rǣding (“reading”), equivalent to read +‎ -ing.

Questions People Ask About Reading

Is reading a verb or a noun?

Reading is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.

What is another word for reading?

Close synonyms of reading are interpretation, recital and version. See the full list of reading synonyms and antonyms.

What is the opposite of reading?

The opposite of reading is pass.

What is the plural of reading?

The plural of reading is readings.