read
verb
\ ˈrēd
\
\
read\ ˈred
\;
reading\ ˈrē-diŋ
\
\;
reading\ ˈrē-diŋ
\
Definition of read
(Entry 1 of 5)
1a(1)
: to receive or take in the sense of (letters, symbols, etc.) especially by sight or touch
(2)
: to study the movements of with mental formulation of the communication expressed
read lips
(3)
: to utter aloud the printed or written words of
read them a story
b
: to learn from what one has seen or found in writing or printing
d(1)
: to become acquainted with or look over the contents of (something, such as a book)
(2)
: to make a study of
read law
(3)
: to read the works of
e
: to check (something, such as copy or proof) for errors
f(1)
: to receive and understand (a voice message) by radio
(2)
: understand, comprehend
2a
: to interpret the meaning or significance of
read palms
3
: to recognize or interpret as if by reading: such as
a
: to learn the nature of by observing outward expression or signs
reads him like a book
b
: to note the action or characteristics of in order to anticipate what will happen
a good canoeist reads the rapids a golfer reading a green
also
: to predict the movement of (a putt) by reading a green
c
: to anticipate by observation of an opponent's position or movement
read a blitz
4a
: to attribute a meaning to (something read) : interpret
how do you read this passage
b
: to attribute (a meaning) to something read or considered
read a nonexistent meaning into her words
5
: to use as a substitute for or in preference to another word or phrase in a particular passage, text, or version
read hurry for harry
—often used to introduce a clarifying substitute for a euphemistic or misleading word or phrase a friendly, read nosy, coworker
6
: indicate
the thermometer reads zero
7
: to interpret (a musical work) in performance
8a
: to acquire (information) from storage
especially
: to sense the meaning of (data) in recorded and coded form
—used of a computer or data processor A compiler is a program that translates instructions written by a human programmer into more specific codes that can be directly read by a computer. — John Markoff
b
: to read the coded information on (something, such as a CD)
I had a minor problem with the disk drive in that the machine would not read the disk the first time it was powered up each day but had to be turned off and back on again.— Robert Moskowitz
1a
: to perform the act of reading words : read something
b(1)
: to learn something by reading
(2)
: to pursue a course of study
2a
: to yield a particular meaning or impression when read
b
: to be readable or read in a particular manner or to a particular degree
this book reads smoothly
3
: to consist of specific words, phrases, or other similar elements
a passage that reads differently in older versions
read between the lines
read the riot act
: to understand more than is directly stated
1
: to order a mob to disperse
2a
: to order or warn to cease something
b
: to protest vehemently
c
: to reprimand severely