Meanings of 'read' 1. To examine and grasp the meaning of (written or printed characters, words, or sentences). 2. To utter or render aloud (written or printed material): read poems to the students. 3. To have the ability to examine and grasp the meaning of (written or printed material in a given language or notation): reads Chinese; reads music. 4. a. To examine and grasp the meaning of (language in a form other than written or printed characters, words, or sentences): reading Braille; reading sign language. b. To examine and grasp the meaning of (a graphic representation): reading a map. 5. a. To discern and interpret the nature or significance of through close examination or sensitive observation: The tracker read the trail for signs of game. b. To discern or anticipate through examination or observation; descry: "I can read abandonment in a broken door or shattered window" (William H. Gass). 6. To determine the intent or mood of: can read your mind like a book; a hard person to read. 7. a. To attribute a certain interpretation or meaning to: read her words differently than I did. b. To consider (something written or printed) as having a particular meaning or significance: read the novel as a parable. 8. To foretell or predict (the future). 9. To receive or comprehend (a radio message, for example): I read you loud and clear. 10. To study or make a study of: read history as an undergraduate. 11. To learn or get knowledge of from something written or printed: read that interest rates would continue to rise. 12. To proofread. 13. To have or use as a preferred reading in a particular passage: For change read charge. 14. To indicate, register, or show: The dial reads 32°. 15. Computer Science To obtain (data) from a storage medium, such as a magnetic disk. To 'read on' means to continue to read. eg the teacher said, 'Please read on now'. 'Read in' is the past tense of having read something. eg Yesterday I read in the newspaper that more people were unemployed.