literature
- 1All the books, poems and plays of one language, country, culture or time, or of the whole world.
Like a country's music collection, but made of writing instead.
We studied Japanese literature in class this year.
Each culture builds up its own literature over many years.
UsageWe say English literature or Japanese literature. Medical literature means research, not stories.
- 2All the studies, papers and books that experts have written about one subject.
Like all the research ever done on one question, gathered together.
She read all the literature on sleep before writing her report.
Doctors read the medical literature to learn about new treatments.
UsageMost often it is the literature on a subject.
Similarresearch, scholarship, studies, publications
Note
- 3Writing such as novels, poems and plays that is so good people see it as art.
Like fine art compared with a quick doodle.
Many teachers think these old novels are great literature.
She wants to write literature, not just quick beach reads.
Note
- 4Printed papers, like leaflets or small booklets, that tell you about a product, service, cause or group.
The nurse gave us some literature about healthy eating for kids.
Volunteers handed out campaign literature outside the grocery store.
UsageSay some literature about something, like literature about healthy eating.
Similarmaterial
Less common meaning
- 5A person's ability to read and write.
Note
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of literature apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
This word comes from Latin littera, meaning "letter." It came into English through French.
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Literature ultimately derives from Latin littera, meaning "letter." en.wiktionary.org
- Literature entered English through French. en.wiktionary.org