ENGLISH
REFERENCE

reading

n. C / U
A1 Beginner Oxford US //ˈɹɛdɪŋ// read·ing General-service

n. the activity of looking at and understanding written words. It is also the word for a specific piece of writing that you look at.

n. the cognitive process of decoding symbols to derive meaning from text. It may also refer to a specific interpretation of a text or a public recital of literature.


SIMPLE

I enjoy reading books in my spare time.

CONTEXTUAL

The teacher assigned a short reading about history for the students to discuss in class tomorrow.

COMPLEX

A close reading of the legal document revealed several inconsistencies that the defense team used to challenge the validity of the contract.

Synonyms
Origin

From Old English Rēadingas, the name of a tribe or clan of early Anglo-Saxon England whose capital was at Reading. Not related to reading.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the skill or activity; countable when referring to a specific text or a particular interpretation.

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