UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈriːd/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/rid/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(rēd; v.pastadj. red)
read1/rid/USA pronunciationv.,read/rɛd/USA pronunciationread•ing/ˈridɪŋ/USA pronunciationn. v.
to look at so as to understand the meaning of (something writtenprintedetc.): [~ + object]reading the newspaper; could read music.[no object]When did she start reading?[~ + (that) clause]I read that there was a big problem in your school.
to say aloud or in speech (something writtenprintedetc.): [~ + object + to + object]to read a story to a child.[~ + object + object]I read her a story.[~ + to + object]The instructor read aloud to the class.
to recognize and understand the meaning of (gesturessymbolssignalsor other communication):[~ + object]to read braille; to read lips.
to figure out the significance ofpattern behindetc.by observing outward appearances:[~ + object]to read the dark sky as the threat of a storm.
to infer or guess at (something not expressed) from what is readconsideredor observed:[~ + object + into + object]You're reading meanings into this incident that really aren't there.
to give or have a certain form or wording: [~ + object][not: be + ~-ing]For "one thousand'' another version reads "ten thousand.''[no object]a rule that reads in two different ways.
to register or indicateas a thermometer:[not: be + ~-ing;~ + object]The temperature reads a balmy seventy-two degrees.
to learn by or as if by reading:[~ + object]to read a person's thoughts.
to bringputetc.by reading:[~ + object]to read oneself to sleep.
Computing[~ + object] (in computers) to obtain (data or programs) from an outside disk or tape and place in a computer's memory.
British Termsto study (a subject)as at a university:[~ + object]reading history at Oxford.
to be readable in a certain way:[no object]The essay reads well.
read up on[~ + up + on + object] to learn about by reading:I read up on the subject.
to look at carefully so as to understand the meaning of (something writtenprintedetc.):to read a book; to read music.
to utter aloud or render in speech (something writtenprintedetc.):reading a story to his children; The actor read his lines in a booming voice.
to have such knowledge of (a language) as to be able to understand things written in it:to be able to read French.
to apprehend the meaning of (signscharactersetc.) otherwise than with the eyesas by means of the fingers:to read Braille.
to apprehend or interpret the meaning of (gesturesmovementssignalsor the like):to read a semaphore; to read sign language.
to make out the significance of by scrutiny or observation:to read the cloudy sky as the threat of a storm; a fisherman skilled in reading a stream for potential pools.
to anticipateexpector calculate by observation:At the line of scrimmagethe quarterback read a blitz and called an audible.
to foreseeforetellor predict:to read a person's fortune in tea leaves.
to make out the charactermotivationsdesiresetc.of (a person or persons)as by the interpretation of outward signs.
to interpret or attribute a meaning to (a written text)a musical compositionetc.):How do you read this clause in the contract?
to infer (something not expressed or directly indicated) from what is readconsideredor observed:He read an underlying sarcasm into her letter. In your silence I read agreement to my plan.
to adopt or give as a reading in a particular passage:For "one thousand'' another version reads "ten thousand.''
to substitute or replace (a particular word or phrase) in a written textusually to correct an error:Read "cavalry'' for "calvary.''
Printingto check (printers' proofscopyetc.) for errors; proofread.
to register or indicateas a thermometerclocketc.
Computingto obtain (dataprogramsor control information) from an external storage medium or some other source and place in memory.
British Termsto study (a subject)as at a university:to read law.
to read the work of (an author):She is reading Kafka.
to learn by or as if by reading:to read a person's thoughts.
Radio and Televisionto hear and understand (a transmitted radio message or the person transmitting it); receive:I read you loud and clear.
to bringputetc.by reading:to read oneself to sleep.
to give one (a lecture or lesson) by way of admonition or rebuke.
to discover or explain the meaning of (a riddledreametc.).
v.i.
to read or peruse written or printed matter.
to utter aloud or render in speech written or printed words that one is perusing:to read to a person.
to give a public reading or recital.
to inspect and apprehend the meaning of written or other signs or characters.
to occupy oneself seriously with reading or study.
to obtain knowledge or learn of something by reading.
to admit of being readesp. properly or well.
to have a certain wording.
to admit of being interpreted:a rule that reads in two different ways.
to register or indicate particular informationas the status or condition of something:Her blood pressure is reading a little low today.
to have an effect or make an impression; show forth:Those battle photographs read with great impact.
Computingto read dataprogramsor control information.
read between the lines. See line1 (def. 69).
read for(of an actor) to audition for (a rolea playetc.).
Computingread into place (dataprogramsor control information) in memory.
read lipsto study the lip movements of a speaker who cannot be heard so as to determine the words being uttered.
Computingread out:
to read aloudas for someone's attention.
Computingto retrieve (information) from a computer.
read out ofto oust from membership in (a political party or other group) by a public announcement of dismissal:He was read out of the association because of alleged subversive activities.
Sportread the green.[Golf.]See green (def. 30).
read the riot act. See Riot Act (def. 2).
read up onto learn about by reading; gather information on; research by reading:You'd better read up on World War I before taking the history test.
n.
an act or instance of reading:Give the agreement a careful read before you sign it.
something that is read:Her new novel is a wonderful read.
bef. 900; Middle English reden, Old English rǣdan to counselread; cognate with Dutch raden, German raten, Old Norse rātha; akin to Sanskrit rādhnoti (he) achieves
1. perusescannotestudy.
read2(red),USA pronunciationadj.
having knowledge gained by reading (usually used in combination):a well-read person.
past participle of read1 1580–90
Read(rēd),USA pronunciationn.
BiographicalGeorge1733–98American political leader: served in the Continental Congress 1774–77.
BiographicalSir Herbert1893–1968English critic and poet.
a male given name: from an Old English word meaning "red.''
to comprehend the meaning of (something written or printed) by looking at and interpreting the written or printed characters
whentroften followed by out: to look atinterpretand speak aloud (something written or printed)
(transitive) to interpret the significance or meaning of through scrutiny and recognition: we read the sky and predicted rainto read a map
(transitive) to interpret or understand the meaning of (signscharactersetc) other than by visual means: to read Braille
(transitive) to have sufficient knowledge of (a language) to understand the written or printed word
(transitive) to discover or make out the true nature or mood of: to read someone's mind
to interpret or understand (something read) in a specified wayor (of something read) to convey a particular meaning or impression: I read this speech as satirethis book reads well
(transitive) to adopt as a reading in a particular passage: for "boon" read "bone"
(intransitive) to have or contain a certain form or wording: the sentence reads as follows
to undertake a course of study in (a subject): to read historyread for the bar
(intransitive) to gain knowledge by reading: he read about the war
(transitive) to registerindicateor show: the meter reads 100
(transitive) to bring or put into a specified condition by reading: to read a child to sleep
(transitive) to hear and understandesp when using a two-way radio: we are reading you loud and clear
to obtain (data) from a storage devicesuch as magnetic tape Comparewrite
read a lessonread a lecture ⇒ informalto censure or reprimandesp in a long-winded manner
n
matter suitable for reading: this new book is a very good read
the act of reading
Etymology: Old English rǣdan to adviseexplain; related to Old Frisian rēdaOld High German rātanGothic garēdan