When you read something such as a book or article, you look at and understand the words that are written there.

When you read a piece of writing to someone, you say the words aloud.

People who can read have the ability to look at and understand written words.

If you can read music, you have the ability to look at and understand the symbols that are used in written music to represent musical sounds.

You can use read when saying what is written on something or in something. For example, if a notice reads 'Entrance', the word 'Entrance' is written on it.

If you refer to how a piece of writing reads, you are referring to its style.

If you say that a book or magazine is a good read, you mean that it is very enjoyable to read.

If something is read in a particular way, it is understood or interpreted in that way.

If you read someone's mind or thoughts, you know exactly what they are thinking without them telling you.

If you can read someone or you can read their gestures, you can understand what they are thinking or feeling by the way they behave or the things they say.

If someone who is trying to talk to you with a radio transmitter says, 'Do you read me?', they are asking you if you can hear them.

When you read a measuring device, you look at it to see what the figure or measurement on it is.

If a measuring device reads a particular amount, it shows that amount.

If you read a subject at university, you study it.

If you take something as read, you accept it as true or right and therefore feel that it does not need to be discussed or proved.