किसी भाषा के वाचिक और लिखित (शास्त्रसमूह) को साहित्य कह सकते हैं। दुनिया में सबसे पुराना वाचिक साहित्य हमें संस्कृत भाषा में मिलता है। इस दृष्टि से संस्कृत साहित्य सभी साहित्यों का मूल स्रोत है। साहित्य - स+हित+य के योग से बना है।

Literature is any collection of written work, but it is also used more narrowly for writings specifically considered to be an art form, especially prose, fiction, drama, poetry, and including both print and digital writing. In recent centuries, the definition has expanded to include oral literature, also known as orature much of which has been transcribed. Literature is a method of recording, preserving, and transmitting knowledge and entertainment, and can also have a social, psychological, spiritual, or political role.