read (read)

verb (past and past participle read /rɛd/)

• 1look at and comprehend the meaning of (written or printed matter) by interpreting the characters or symbols of which it is composed: it’s the best novel I’ve ever read I never learned to read music Emily read over her notes [no object]: I’ll go to bed and read for a while
• [no object] have the ability to look at and comprehend the meaning of written or printed matter: only three of the girls could read and none could write
• speak (the written or printed matter that one is reading) aloud: I read the letter to her the charges against him were read out [no object]: I’ll read to you if you like
• habitually read (a particular newspaper or periodical): now, I know what my reputation is—I read the papers
• [no object, with complement] (of a passage, text, or sign) have a certain wording: the placard read ‘We want justice’
• used to indicate that a particular word in a text or passage is incorrect and that another should be substituted for it: for madam read madman
• [no object] (read for) (of an actor) audition for (a role): ring your agent and say you’ll read for the part

• 2discover (information) by reading it in a written or printed source: he was arrested yesterday—I read it in the paper [no object]: I read about the course in a magazine
• (as adjective, with submodifier read) having a specified level of knowledge as a result of reading: Ada was well read in French literature
• discern (a fact, emotion, or quality) in someone’s eyes or expression: she looked down, terrified that he would read fear on her face

• 3understand or interpret the nature or significance of: he didn’t dare look away, in case this was read as a sign of weakness
• [no object, with adverbial] (of a piece of writing) convey a specified impression to the reader: the brief note read like a cry for help

• 4inspect and record the figure indicated on (a measuring instrument): I’ve come to read the gas meter
• [no object, with complement] (of a measuring instrument) indicate a specified measurement or figure: the thermometer read 0° C

• 5chiefly British study (an academic subject) at a university: I’m reading English at Cambridge [no object]: he went to Manchester to read for a BA in Economics

• 6(of a computer) copy, transfer, or interpret (data): it attempts to read a floppy disk without regard to its format
• [with object and adverbial] enter or extract (data) in an electronic storage device: the commonest way of reading a file into the system
• (of a device) obtain data from (light or other input): the microchip gives a unique code when read by the scanner

• 7present (a bill or other measure) before a legislative assembly: the bill was accordingly read a second time

• 8hear and understand the words of (someone speaking on a radio transmitter): ‘Do you read me? Over.’

noun

• a period or act of reading something: I was having a quiet read of the newspaper
• [with adjective] informal a book considered in terms of its readability: the book is a thoroughly entertaining read
• US a person’s interpretation of something: their read on the national situation may be correct