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
In the scrum of literature about the Kennedys and their satellites, the wives, saddled with the heavy work of making the family grow, Beller’s book is guileless.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
Claire O’Callaghan, a senior lecturer in Victorian literature at Loughborough University, contends that’s the whole point.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Yet, for a host of reasons—including postwar Soviet memory politics, the geopolitics of the Cold War, and the marginalization of Yiddish and Soviet Jewish literature—narratives of this experience remain largely unavailable to Western readers.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
The family’s bibles and literature on Christian theology were also seized during the raid.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for literature
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
Claire O’Callaghan, a senior lecturer in Victorian literature at Loughborough University, contends that’s the whole point.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Yet, for a host of reasons—including postwar Soviet memory politics, the geopolitics of the Cold War, and the marginalization of Yiddish and Soviet Jewish literature—narratives of this experience remain largely unavailable to Western readers.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
The family’s bibles and literature on Christian theology were also seized during the raid.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for literature
Cite this Entry
“Literature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/literature. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
