Read·ing n.
 1. The act of one who reads; perusal; also, printed or written matter to be read.
 2. Study of books; literary scholarship; as, a man of extensive reading.
 3. A lecture or prelection; public recital.
    The Jews had their weekly readings of the law.   --Hooker.
 4. The way in which anything reads; force of a word or passage presented by a documentary authority; lection; version.
 5. Manner of reciting, or acting a part, on the stage; way of rendering. [Cant]
 6. An observation read from the scale of a graduated instrument; as, the reading of a barometer.
 Reading of a bill Legislation, its formal recital, by the proper officer, before the House which is to consider it.