lecture

American  

[lek-cher] / ˈlɛk tʃər /

noun

1. a speech read or delivered before an audience or class, especially for instruction or to set forth some subject.

   a lecture on Picasso's paintings.

   Synonyms:

   discourse, paper, talk, address

2. a speech of warning or reproof as to conduct; a long, tedious reprimand.

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verb (used without object)

lectured, lecturing

1. to give a lecture or series of lectures.

   He spent the year lecturing to various student groups.

verb (used with object)

lectured, lecturing

1. to deliver a lecture to or before; instruct by lectures.

   Synonyms:

   teach, address

2. to rebuke or reprimand at some length.

   He lectured the child regularly but with little effect.

   Synonyms:

   hector, admonish

lecture British  

/ ˈlɛktʃə /

noun

1. a discourse on a particular subject given or read to an audience

2. the text of such a discourse

3. a method of teaching by formal discourse

4. a lengthy reprimand or scolding

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verb

1. to give or read a lecture (to an audience or class)

2. (tr) to reprimand at length

Other Word Forms

• prelecture
  noun
• unlectured
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of lecture

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin lēctūra “a reading”; see lection, -ure

Explanation

When your teacher stands up in front of you and teaches by talking about the latest chapter you've read or explaining how to do a new math problem - he is giving a lecture. A lecture is most often used to describe a method of teaching, particularly popular in college, where professors give organized talks as lessons to large groups of students. It is not quite as positive when children level the term at their parents — "Don't lecture me!" — for criticizing their clothes, their friends or their music. Lecture can also be used to describe any public talk, most often by an expert.

Example Sentences

By calling his museum’s large theater the Moral Lecture Room, he hoped to distance his venue from the seedy theaters of the time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 25, 2026

The rising problem of misogyny and male violence was the subject of Sir Gareth's wide-ranging talk for the BBC's annual Richard Dimbleby Lecture.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2025

Editor’s note: This is excerpted from the 2024 Reuters Memorial Lecture delivered March 4 at Oxford University.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 8, 2024

Sherman Library & Gardens Lunch & Lecture presents notable gardens of England with master gardener Yvonne Savio, creator of GardeninginLA.net.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2022

He displayed the same impatience with Oppenheimer, who expressed his personal torment over the bomb while delivering the Arthur D. Little Memorial Lecture at MIT in 1947.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Related Words

• admonish
• chide
• preach
• scold