# reading

/ˈɹɛdɪŋ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reading
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. activity of looking at words

noun · CEFR A1

the activity or skill of understanding written words.

For teachers: the cognitive process of decoding and interpreting written or printed language.

- Reading is my favorite way to relax after a long day at work.
- Early childhood educators emphasize that reading involves not just decoding sounds but also synthesizing meaning from context and syntax.

### 2. measurement

noun · CEFR B1

a number or value shown on a measuring instrument like a thermometer or clock.

For teachers: the specific value or data point indicated by a measuring instrument or gauge.

- The technician took a reading of the water pressure every hour.
- The scientist noted that the temperature reading was slightly higher than expected, suggesting a possible calibration error in the digital sensor.

### 3. public event

noun · CEFR B1

an event where someone reads a book or poem out loud to an audience.

For teachers: a public performance or recital of literature, poetry, or a dramatic script.

- We went to a poetry reading at the local library last night.
- The author's reading was followed by a brief question-and-answer session where she discussed the historical research behind her latest novel.

### 4. interpretation

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

a particular way of understanding or explaining a text or situation.

For teachers: a specific interpretation or version of a text, or a particular understanding of a situation.

- Her reading of the situation was quite different from mine.
- Critics have argued that a feminist reading of the play reveals power dynamics that were previously ignored by traditional scholars.

### 5. legislative stage

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

one of the official stages a new law must pass through in a parliament.

For teachers: one of the formal stages of debate and voting that a bill undergoes in a legislative body before it can become law.

- The new education bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons.
- During the third reading, several members of the opposition raised concerns regarding the financial implications of the proposed environmental regulations.

### 6. reading material

noun · CEFR B1

books, articles, or other things that are intended to be read.

For teachers: material or literature intended for perusal.

- I brought some light reading for the long train journey.
- The professor provided a packet of required reading that covered the foundational theories of social psychology.

## Examples

- I enjoy reading books in my spare time.
- The teacher assigned a short reading about history for the students to discuss in class tomorrow.
- A close reading of the legal document revealed several inconsistencies that the defense team used to challenge the validity of the contract.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.