1 C1 idiomatic formal
(Intelligence/government) To formally give someone access to and knowledge of classified or sensitive information.
"The new director was read in on all current covert operations during her first week."
separable
read in
B2 formal separable transitive
To formally brief someone with classified or privileged information; or in computing, to load data into a system.
In plain English
To officially tell someone secret or important information they need to know; or to load information into a computer.
What does "read in" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
(Computing) To input or load data from an external source into a computer system or program.
"The script reads in the configuration file each time the application starts."
separable
Usage tip
The security/intelligence sense is common in government and military contexts in American English ('get read in on a programme'). The computing sense is more technical. Not to be confused with 'read into'.
Words that pair with "read in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
programme project data file briefing intelligence
How to conjugate "read in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
read in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
reads in
he/she/it
Past simple
read in
yesterday
Past participle
read in
have + pp
-ing form
reading in
continuous
Hear "read in" in the wild
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Other ways to say "read in"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
brief bring up to speed import induct inform load
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