read·ing 
/ˈri:dɪŋ/ noun
plural read·ings /ˈri:dɪŋ/ noun 1 a [count] : the act of reading something
▪ She gave the manuscript a careful reading. [=she read the manuscript carefully] ▪ The family attended the reading of her will. ▪ The speech ended with a reading from his latest novel. ▪ After several readings, I finally understood the meaning of the poem.
b [noncount] : the activity of reading a book, magazine, etc.
▪ He needs help in reading. ▪ They both love reading. ▪ The teacher gave us a list of books for further reading on the subject. ▪ The book makes for interesting/good reading. [=the book is interesting/good] ▪ He has done a lot of reading on this subject. — often used before another noun ▪ reading glasses ▪ a reading light 2 a : a book, article, etc., that is being read or that is intended to be read [count] ▪ The reading for today is about human cloning. — often plural ▪ The teacher assigned several readings to the class. ▪ What are the readings for the next class? [noncount] ▪ Moby-Dick is required reading for any scholar of 19th-century American literature. ▪ Shakespeare is not exactly light reading. [=the works of Shakespeare are not easy to read] — often used before another noun ▪ Did you bring any reading material/matter for the trip? ▪ Students were given a summer reading list. ▪ What is your child's reading level? [=how difficult are the books, articles, etc., that your child reads?]
b [count] : a part of the Bible that is read aloud as part of a religious service
▪ The pastor selected a reading for tonight's service. 3 [count] : a particular opinion or understanding of something
▪ We need to get a better reading on [=a better idea of] what they intend to do. — often + of ▪ I disagree with his reading [=interpretation] of what happened. ▪ Her reading of the text is that the main character is depressed. ▪ The judge made his ruling according to a strict reading of the law. 4 [count] : an event at which something is read aloud to an audience
▪ a poetry/book reading 5 [count] : the temperature, weight, number, etc., that is shown on a measuring instrument
▪ The thermometer reading was 20 degrees. ▪ Meter readings are taken once a month. ▪ The scale gave an inaccurate reading. 6 [count] : an occurrence in which a proposed bill is discussed in a legislature before it becomes law
▪ She gave the manuscript a careful reading. [=she read the manuscript carefully] ▪ The family attended the reading of her will. ▪ The speech ended with a reading from his latest novel. ▪ After several readings, I finally understood the meaning of the poem.
b [noncount] : the activity of reading a book, magazine, etc.
▪ He needs help in reading. ▪ They both love reading. ▪ The teacher gave us a list of books for further reading on the subject. ▪ The book makes for interesting/good reading. [=the book is interesting/good] ▪ He has done a lot of reading on this subject. — often used before another noun ▪ reading glasses ▪ a reading light
b [count] : a part of the Bible that is read aloud as part of a religious service
▪ The pastor selected a reading for tonight's service.
▪ We need to get a better reading on [=a better idea of] what they intend to do. — often + of ▪ I disagree with his reading [=interpretation] of what happened. ▪ Her reading of the text is that the main character is depressed. ▪ The judge made his ruling according to a strict reading of the law.
▪ a poetry/book reading
▪ The thermometer reading was 20 degrees. ▪ Meter readings are taken once a month. ▪ The scale gave an inaccurate reading.
