Full Definition of literature
1
archaic : literary culture
2
: the production of literary work especially as an occupation
3
a (1) : writings in prose or verse; especially : writings having excellence of form or expression and expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest (2) : an example of such writings
b : the body of written works produced in a particular language, country, or age
c : the body of writings on a particular subject
d : printed matter (as leaflets or circulars)
4
: the aggregate of a usually specified type of musical compositions