What does "literature" mean?

1. (creative writing) books, poems, and plays that are considered to be art or have great value. 2. (academic research) all the books and articles written by experts about a specific subject. 3. (leaflets or brochures) printed information like leaflets or booklets that explain a product or service.

How do you use "literature"?

Often used with the definite article as 'the literature'.

literature

US //ˈɫɪtɝətʃɝ// UK //lˈɪtɹɪtʃɐ// lit·er·a·ture

1 creative writing (n.)
B1 Intermediate Theatre

books, poems, and plays that are considered to be art or have great value.

written works, such as fiction, poetry, and drama, that are regarded as having lasting artistic merit or cultural value.

Example

She decided to study English literature because she loved reading classic novels.

Example

The course provides a comprehensive overview of Victorian literature, focusing on how industrialisation influenced the narrative structures of the era's major novels.
- writing
- letters
- belles lettres
2 academic research (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Academic

all the books and articles written by experts about a specific subject.

the body of published work, including treatises and journal articles, related to a specific field of study or research topic.

Example

Before starting his experiment, he spent weeks reading the literature on plant growth.

Example

A thorough review of the existing literature reveals a significant gap in our understanding of how these specific proteins interact under high pressure.

Usage

Often used with the definite article as 'the literature'.

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3 leaflets or brochures (n.)
B1 Intermediate

printed information like leaflets or booklets that explain a product or service.

printed matter, such as brochures, circulars, or leaflets, used to provide information or advertise a service.

Example

The travel agent gave us some literature about holidays in Greece.

Example

The sales team distributed promotional literature to every attendee, ensuring that the technical specifications of the new software were clearly documented.

Origin

From Middle English literature, from Old French littérature, from Latin literatura or litteratura, from littera (“letter”), from Etruscan, from Ancient Greek διφθέρᾱ (diphthérā, “tablet”). Displaced native Old English bōccræft.