lesson
Americannoun
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lessons
plural
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a section into which a course of study is divided, especially a single, continuous session of formal instruction in a subject.
The manual was broken down into 50 lessons.
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a part of a book, an exercise, etc., that is assigned to a student for study.
The lesson for today is on page 22. He worked assiduously at his music lesson.
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something to be learned or studied.
the lessons of the past.
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a useful piece of practical wisdom acquired by experience or study.
That accident certainly taught him a lesson in careful driving.
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something from which a person learns or should learn; an instructive example.
Her faith should serve as a lesson to all of us.
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a reproof or punishment intended to teach one better ways.
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a portion of Scripture or other sacred writing read or appointed to be read at a divine service; lection; pericope.
verb (used with object)
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to teach; instruct; give a lesson to.
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to admonish or reprove.
noun
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a unit, or single period of instruction in a subject; class
an hour-long music lesson
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the content of such a unit
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material assigned for individual study
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something from which useful knowledge or principles can be learned; example
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the principles, knowledge, etc, gained
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a reprimand or punishment intended to correct
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a portion of Scripture appointed to be read at divine service
verb
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of lesson
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English lesso(u)n, from Old French leçon, from Latin lēctiōn-, stem of lēctiō “a reading”; see lection
Explanation
When a story has something to teach its reader, it has a lesson. The lessons of many folktales range from "always tell the truth" to "be brave" to "find a prince." There are different kinds of lessons, but they're all meant to teach someone how to do something or some new information. In a French lesson, a teacher teaches you the French language, and in a sewing lesson, you'll learn how to make something using fabric and a sewing machine. A typical day at school is one lesson after another. Originally, lesson had two meanings: "something learned by a student" and "a reading aloud from the Bible."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"If there's a lesson, it's write the thing you really care about."
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026
Beyond Iran, the discovery provides a broader lesson about how Earth's geological history can become hidden over immense stretches of time.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 28, 2026
The lesson, then, isn’t so much to guess correctly about infinite unknowns in the future, but to stay adaptable enough that the guess doesn’t matter as much.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026
You’d think that lesson would still be fresh enough that we wouldn’t indulge in such a folly again.
From Salon ● Oct. 27, 2026
Still, the following Wednesday after my piano lesson, he was waiting for me in the same crossed-ankles position, leaning against his car with his hands in his pockets.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
McHugh said she began singing "before I was talking" and started singing lessons aged six, turning professional when she was about 15.
From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026
“Once the bad lessons are learned, they’re impossible to unlearn,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2026
The original ‘Star Trek’ premiered in 1966, and despite a rocky start, it endures and continues to inspire the franchise’s creatives, stars and fans who say its lessons are still relevant today.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026
“She had all these different podcasts she liked and lessons from ones that were popular or just ones that she personally liked, pieces she took away from different things.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026
Therefore, all lessons are to continue as usual during the audition period.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
