The body of all written works. / The collected creative writing of a nation, people, group, or culture.

plural of literature

well-read

Any genre of literature used as escapism

Literature published in electronic form, possibly incorporating hypertext and multimedia.

A scholarly paper, or part of one, compiled from published sources, which sums up current knowledge of a particular topic.

plural of literature review

comparative literature

(education) Comparative literature. / (uncommon) The world's national literature collectively, especially the circulation and appreciation of works beyond their country of origin.

The academic field dealing with the study of literature and cultural expression across linguistic, cultural and national boundaries.