literature
noun
lit·er·a·ture
ˈli-tə-rə-ˌchu̇r 
ˈli-trə-ˌchu̇r,
ˈli-tər-ˌchu̇r,
ˈli-tə-,
-chər,
-ˌtyu̇r
-ˌtu̇r
1
a(1)
: writings in prose or verse
especially
: writings having excellence of form or expression and expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest
literature stands related to man as science stands to nature —
J. H. Newman
J. H. Newman
(2)
: an example of such writings
what came out, though rarely literature, was always a roaring good story—People
People
b
: the body of writings on a particular subject
scientific literature
c
: the body of written works produced in a particular language, country, or age
French literature
Renaissance literature
d
: printed matter (such as leaflets or circulars)
campaign literature
2
: the production of literary work especially as an occupation
Literature is his profession.
3
: the aggregate of a usually specified type of musical compositions
the Brahms piano literature
4
archaic
: literary culture
Examples of literature in a Sentence
She took courses in history and literature.
Her education gave her an appreciation for great literature.
He's an expert in American literature.
the literature of the Renaissance
studies in different Asian literatures
Can you send me some literature about your product?
Recent Examples on the Web
While literature traffics in metaphor and art in symbol, can a structure also carry something quieter—an emotional undercurrent felt more than seen?
—Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
For the coffee experiments, a literature review showed there had already been research into the fluid mechanics of the liquids involved in espresso machines and French press coffeemakers.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
By 1890, however, with medical literature reporting more than 400 cases of acute toxicity brought on by the drug, cocaine had lost its luster.
—Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
Kaplan: Continually scanning the medical literature is very important.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for literature
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
For the coffee experiments, a literature review showed there had already been research into the fluid mechanics of the liquids involved in espresso machines and French press coffeemakers.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
By 1890, however, with medical literature reporting more than 400 cases of acute toxicity brought on by the drug, cocaine had lost its luster.
—Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
Kaplan: Continually scanning the medical literature is very important.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for literature
Cite this Entry
“Literature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/literature. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
literature
noun
lit·er·a·ture
ˈlit-ə-rə-ˌchu̇(ə)r
ˈli-trə-
ˈli-trə-
-chər
1
: written works having excellence of form or expression and ideas of lasting and widespread interest
2
: written material (as of a period or on a subject)
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