present participle and gerund of read
reading — Definition and meaning
(Noun) The process of interpreting written language.
• The process of interpreting a symbol, a sign or a measuring device.
• An interpretation.
• A value indicated by a measuring device.
• An event at which written material is read aloud.
• The wording of a version of a text in a particular place or context.
• A pronunciation associated with a particular character or word; particularly in East Asian scripts.
• Something to read; reading material.
• The extent of what one has read.
• One of several stages a bill passes through before becoming law.
• A piece of literature or passage of scripture read aloud to an audience.
• The content of a reading list.
• The act or process of imagining sequences of potential moves and responses without actually placing stones.
The importance of reading
reading appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
How reading is applied
In practice, reading is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wiktionary , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.