sermon

American  

[sur-muhn] / ˈsɜr mən /

noun

1. a discourse for the purpose of religious instruction or exhortation, especially one based on a text of Scripture and delivered by a member of the clergy as part of a religious service.

2. any serious speech, discourse, or exhortation, especially on a moral issue.

   Synonyms:

   lecture

3. a long, tedious speech.

   Synonyms:

   tirade, harangue, lecture

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sermon British  

/ ˈsɜːmən, sɜːˈmɒnɪk /

noun

1. 1. an address of religious instruction or exhortation, often based on a passage from the Bible, esp one delivered during a church service

   2. a written version of such an address

2. a serious speech, esp one administering reproof

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Other Word Forms

• sermonic adjective
• sermonless adjective

Etymology

Origin of sermon

1150–1200; Middle English < Medieval Latin sermōn- (stem of sermō ) speech from pulpit, Latin: discourse, equivalent to ser- (base of serere to link up, organize) + -mōn- noun suffix

Compare meaning

How does sermon compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• homily vs. sermon

Example Sentences

One Connecticut pastor in 1784 preached a sermon that compared the Continental Army’s soldiers’ deaths to martyrs whose blood should “be ever treated as sacred.”

From The Wall Street Journal

In sermons seen by the BBC, the London ICC - which is the largest - said it was aiming for 400 "disciples" by the end of 2025.

From BBC

He was 15 when he first heard Rev. Martin Luther King’s sermon titled, “Paul’s Letter to American Christians,” on the radio.

From Salon

The church has continued to gather online and sometimes replays Wang's recorded sermons to its members.

From BBC

He retained his devotion to Judaism in various forms, attended a variety of synagogues and sometimes chanted biblical verses or gave guest sermons.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• advice
• exhortation
• homily
• lecture
• lesson
• preaching
• tirade