lit·er·a·cy (l?t??r-?-s?)n.1. The condition or quality of being literate, especially the ability to read and write. See Usage Note at literate.2. The condition or quality of being knowledgeable in a particular subject or field: cultural literacy; biblical literacy.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.literacy (?l?t?r?s?) n1. the ability to read and write2. the ability to use language proficientlyCollins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014lit?er?a?cy (?l?t ?r ? si) n. 1. the quality or state of being literate, esp. the ability to read and write. 2. a person’s knowledge of a particular subject or field: to acquire computer literacy. [1880?85] Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.