Novels, plays, and poetry are referred to as literature, especially when they are considered to be good or important.
...classic works of literature.
...a Professor of English Literature.
It may not be great literature but it certainly had me riveted!
The book explores the connection between American ethnic and regional literatures.
Synonyms: writings, letters, compositions, lore More Synonyms of literature
2. uncountable noun
Theliterature on a particular subject of study is all the books and articles that have been published about it.
The literature on immigration policy is extremely critical of the state. [+ on]
This work is documented in the scientific literature.
3. uncountable noun
Literature is written information produced by people who want to sell you something or give you advice.
I am sending you literature from two other companies that provide a similar service. [+ from]
Some companies have toned down the claims on their promotional literature.
Synonyms: information, publicity, leaflet, brochure More Synonyms of literature
literature in British English
(ˈlɪtərɪtʃə, ˈlɪtrɪ-)
noun
1.
written material such as poetry, novels, essays, etc, esp works of imagination characterized by excellence of style and expression and by themes of general or enduring interest
2.
the body of written work of a particular culture or people
Scandinavian literature
3.
written or printed matter of a particular type or on a particular subject
scientific literature
the literature of the violin
4.
printed material giving a particular type of information
sales literature
5.
the art or profession of a writer
6. obsolete
learning
Word origin
C14: from Latin litterātūra writing; see letter
literature in American English
(ˈlɪtərətʃər; ˈlɪtrəˌtʃʊr)
noun
1.
the profession of an author; production of writings, esp. of imaginative prose, verse, etc.
2.
a.
all writings in prose or verse, esp. those of an imaginative or critical character, without regard to their excellence: often distinguished from scientific writing, news reporting, etc.
b.
all of such writings considered as having permanent value, excellence of form, great emotional effect, etc.
c.
all the writings of a particular time, country, region, etc., specif. those regardedas having lasting value because of their beauty, imagination, etc.
American literature
d.
all the writings dealing with a particular subject
the medical literature
3.
all the compositions for a specific musical instrument, voice, or ensemble
4.
printed matter of any kind, as advertising, campaign leaflets, etc.
5. Archaic
acquaintance with books; literary knowledge
Word origin
ME litterature < OFr < L litteratura < littera, letter1
COBUILD Collocations
literature
academic literature
erotic literature
medieval literature
promotional literature
scientific literature
secondary literature
study literature
teach literature
Examples of 'literature' in a sentence
literature
He studied American literature and fine art and looks like a GQ model.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Literature in particular was presented and read as a symptom of that condition.
The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
But that is where art and literature happen.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The scientific literature was basically of three kinds.
Michael Boulter EXTINCTION: Evolution and the End of Man (2002)
What kind of literature gives the best mental workout?
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
Literature began with poetry and will doubtless one day end with it.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
How much important literature came from the pen of a man in cufflinks?
The Sun (2015)
Maybe it is part of a whole sea change in popular culture about literature.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The first is that it soars beyond the hysterical tedium of its promotional literature.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Not one single study of this nature exists in the scientific literature.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Perhaps we will have to give up teaching literature altogether.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He always retained his interest in literature and poetry.
Gavin Weightman SIGNOR MARCONI'S MAGIC BOX: The invention that sparked the radio revolution (2003)
For him it meant that literature was politically important.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
Doctors had obviously not been reading the more general literature on bacteria in the highly inhospitable ocean vents.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
The national library has always carried huge symbolic weight as a measure of attitudes towards literature and learning.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But documents out yesterday showed they will only be allowed to study classic literature and poetry in future.
The Sun (2013)
England had literature and art and a sense of connection with the past and the rest of the world.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In the medical manuals they are presented as passive machines to be programmed with the conventional advice literature into efficient production.
Rowbotham, Sheila The Past is Before Us - feminism in action since the 1960s (1989)
To be optimistic you may find that literature has an increasing appeal as she enters adolescence and becomes more interested in relationships.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Contrary to what great literature may suggest, love does not strike while one awaits patiently.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
You're asking a lifestyle feature for advice on literature?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
An affinity for our built past is sewn deep into the culture, in literature and landscape.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This literature would provide society with an image of itself which it could show to the outside world, to contemporaries and to posterity.
Roper, Jon Democracy and its Critics - Anglo-American democratic thought in the nineteenth century (1989)
I call this odd because almost all writers of my generation read things other than English literature.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Quotations
It takes a great deal of history to produce a little literatureHenry JamesHawthorne
Remarks are not literatureGloria SteinemAutobiography of Alice B. Toklas
Literature is news that STAYS newsEzra PoundABC of Reading
Literature is a luxury. Fiction is a necessityG.K. ChestertonThe Defendant
Literature is where I go to explore the highest and lowest places in human society and in the human spirit, where I hope to find not absolute truth but the truth of the tale, of the imagination and of the heartSalman Rushdie
Our American professors like their literature clear and cold and pure and very deadSinclair LewisThe American Fear of Literature
When once the itch of literature comes over a man, nothing can cure it but the scratching of a penSamuel LoverHandy Andy
In other languages
literature
British English: literature /ˈlɪtərɪtʃə; ˈlɪtrɪ-/ NOUN
Novels, plays, and poetry are referred to as literature.
I teach literature to groups of young people.
American English: literature
Arabic: أَدَبُ
Brazilian Portuguese: literatura
Chinese: 文学作品
Croatian: književnost
Czech: literatura
Danish: litteratur
Dutch: literatuur
European Spanish: literatura
Finnish: kirjallisuus
French: littérature
German: Literatur
Greek: λογοτεχνία
Italian: letteratura
Japanese: 文学
Korean: 문학
Norwegian: litteratur
Polish: literatura
European Portuguese: literatura
Romanian: literatură
Russian: литература
Latin American Spanish: literatura
Swedish: litteratur
Thai: วรรณคดี
Turkish: edebiyat
Ukrainian: література
Vietnamese: văn học
Chinese translation of 'literature'
literature
(ˈlɪtrɪtʃəʳ)
n(u)
(= novels, plays, poetry) 文学(學) (wénxué)
(= printed information) 印刷品 (yìnshuāpǐn)
(= publications) 文献(獻) (wénxiàn)
1 (noun)
classic works of literature
Synonyms
writings
letters
compositions
lore
prophets and diviners, knowledgeable in the lore of the stars
creative writing
written works
belles-lettres
2 (noun)
Definition
printed matter on any subject
(informal)
I'm sending you literature from two other companies.
Synonyms
information
publicity
leaflet
Campaigners handed out leaflets on passive smoking.
brochure
travel brochures
circular
pamphlet
an 80-page long election pamphlet
handout
mailshot
handbill
see also subject word lists:
See Figures of speechSee Shakespeare
subject word lists
See Literary termsSee Literary characters
Quotations
It takes a great deal of history to produce a little literature [Henry James – Hawthorne]Remarks are not literature [Gloria Steinem – Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas]Literature is news that STAYS news [Ezra Pound – ABC of Reading]Literature is a luxury. Fiction is a necessity [G.K. Chesterton – The Defendant]Literature is where I go to explore the highest and lowest places in human society and in the human spirit, where I hope to find not absolute truth but the truth of the tale, of the imagination and of the heart [Salman Rushdie]Our American professors like their literature clear and cold and pure and very dead [Sinclair Lewis – The American Fear of Literature]When once the itch of literature comes over a man, nothing can cure it but the scratching of a pen [Samuel Lover – Handy Andy]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of brochure
Definition
a pamphlet or booklet, esp. one containing introductory information or advertising
travel brochures
Synonyms
booklet,
advertisement,
leaflet,
hand-out,
circular,
pamphlet,
folder,
mailshot,
handbill
in the sense of leaflet
Definition
a sheet of printed matter distributed, usually free, for advertising or information
Campaigners handed out leaflets on passive smoking.
Synonyms
booklet,
notice,
advert (British),
brochure,
bill,
circular,
flyer,
tract,
pamphlet,
handout,
mailshot,
handbill
in the sense of lore
Definition
collective knowledge or wisdom on a particular subject
prophets and diviners, knowledgeable in the lore of the stars
Synonyms
learning,
knowledge,
know-how (informal),
scholarship,
letters,
erudition
Synonyms of 'literature'
literature
Explore 'literature' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of pamphlet
Definition
a thin paper-covered booklet, often on a subject of current interest