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
The group of high school seniors volunteered as part of a first-time project for their literature and social justice class taught by Maeve Gavagan, an English teacher at Marquette High.
—Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
As such, the film is also a celebration of cinema and literature as a means to engage with others and the world at large.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Regretting You is a similarly ridiculous and overwrought slice of melodrama, leavened with strange moments of comedy that leave you wondering if the whole thing isn’t some kind of bizarre art project, an elaborate, camp parody of the very notion of romantic literature itself.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
Greek tragedies, Roman philosophy, African American literature, global masterpieces—these are not dusty relics.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for literature
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Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
As such, the film is also a celebration of cinema and literature as a means to engage with others and the world at large.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Regretting You is a similarly ridiculous and overwrought slice of melodrama, leavened with strange moments of comedy that leave you wondering if the whole thing isn’t some kind of bizarre art project, an elaborate, camp parody of the very notion of romantic literature itself.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
Greek tragedies, Roman philosophy, African American literature, global masterpieces—these are not dusty relics.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 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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