阅览 (yuè lǎn) is a formal, literary verb meaning 'to read'—especially in the sense of carefully or deliberately examining written material. It combines 阅 (yuè), which conveys 'to inspect, review, or examine', and 览 (lǎn), meaning 'to view, survey, or peruse'. Together, they emphasize attentive, purposeful reading—not casual skimming. The word is commonly used in institutional, academic, or official contexts: library signage (阅览室 'reading room'), formal instructions ('Please阅览 the guidelines'), or official documents.

Unlike everyday verbs like 看 (kàn) or 读 (dú), 阅览 carries a tone of seriousness, formality, and sometimes authority. It often appears in compound nouns (e.g., 阅览证 'library card') or as a polite imperative in notices and regulations. It’s rarely used in spoken, informal conversation—native speakers would say 读 or 看 instead when talking casually about reading a book or article.