1archaic:literary culture2: the production of literary work especially as an occupation3 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 <what came out, though rarely literature, was always a roaring good story — People>b: the body of written works produced in a particular language, country, or agec: the body of writings on a particular subject <scientific literature>d: printed matter (as leaflets or circulars) <campaign literature>4: the aggregate of a usually specified type of musical compositions