The body of written works of a language, period, or culture.
Imaginative or creative writing, especially of recognized artistic value:"Literature must be an analysis of experience and a synthesis of the findings into a unity"(Rebecca West).
The art or occupation of a literary writer.
The body of written work produced by scholars or researchers in a given field: medical literature.
Printed material: collected all the available literature on the subject.
Music All the compositions of a certain kind or for a specific instrument or ensemble: the symphonic literature.