Reading  n. 1 a act of reading (reading of the will). B matter to be read (made exciting reading). 2 (in comb.) Used for reading (reading-lamp; reading-room). 3 literary knowledge. 4 entertainment at which a play, poems, etc., are read. 5 figure etc. Shown by a recording instrument. 6 interpretation or view taken (what is your reading of the facts?).