1. written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit: "a great work of literature"Similarwritten workswritings(creative) writingliterary textscompositionslettersbelles-lettresprinted workspublished workshumanitiesartsliberal arts
▪ books and writings published on a particular subject: "the literature on environmental epidemiology"Similarpublicationspublished writingstextsreportsstudiesrelevant works
▪ leaflets and other printed matter used to advertise products or give advice:"advertising and promotional literature"Similarprinted matterbrochuresleafletspamphletscircularsflyershandoutshandbillsmailshotsbulletinsdocumentationpublicityblurbnoticesinformationdatafactsinformal:bumfjunk mail
Word Originlate Middle English (in the sense ‘knowledge of books’): via French from Latin litteratura, from littera (see letter).