noun
comprehension
komp-rih-HEHNSHN
noun
1
The ability to understand something, or the act of understanding it.
"Her comprehension of the material improved after the extra tutoring."
2
(education) An exercise that tests a reader's understanding of a passage of text.
"The students completed a reading comprehension for homework."
How to Use Comprehension
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUnderstanding — either the mental skill itself, or a school exercise that tests it.
Common pairings
reading comprehension
beyond comprehension
Word Forms
comprehensions plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “comprehension”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her _____ of the material improved after the extra tutoring.
Etymology
From Latin comprehensio, "a taking together," from comprehendere — see "comprehend."