transitive verb read (red), reading read′·ing (rēd′iŋ)

1. 1. to get the meaning of (something written, printed, embossed, etc.) by using the eyes, or for Braille, the finger tips, to interpret its characters or signs
   2. proofread
2. to utter aloud (printed or written matter)
3. to interpret movements of (the lips of a person speaking)
4. to know (a language) well enough to interpret its written form
5. 1. to understand the nature, significance, or thinking of as if by reading to read a person's character in her face, to read someone's mind
   2. to ascribe (an underlying meaning or significance) to: with into don't read anything into his straightforward reply
6. 1. to interpret (signals, etc.)
   2. to interpret (dreams, omens, tea leaves, lines in the palm of a hand, etc.)
7. to foretell (the future)
8. to interpret or understand (a printed passage) as having a particular meaning
9. to interpret (a musical composition) in a particular way, as in conducting
10. to have or give as a reading in a certain passage this edition reads “show,” not “shew”
11. Brit. to study, as at a university; esp., to major in to read law
12. to record and show; register the thermometer reads 80°
13. to put into a (specified) state by reading to read a child to sleep
14. Slang to hear and understand I read you loud and clear
15. Comput. to access (data or a file) from (a disk, tape, etc.)

Etymology: ME reden, to explain, hence to read < OE rædan, to counsel, interpret; akin to Ger raten, to counsel, advise < IE *rē-dh, *rə-dh < base *ar-, *(a)rē-, to join, fit > art, arm, L reri, to think, ratio, a reckoning

intransitive verb

1. to read something written, printed, etc., as words, music, books, etc.
2. to utter or repeat aloud the words of written or printed matter
3. to learn by reading: with about or of
4. to study
5. to have or give a particular meaning when read a poem that reads several ways
6. to contain, or be drawn up in, certain words the sentence reads as follows
7. to admit of being read as specified a story that reads well

noun

1. an act of reading a quick read of the headlines
2. something for reading a novel that's a good read
3. Chiefly Brit. a period of time spent reading

transitive verb, intransitive verb

adjective