lecture
Americannoun
-
lectures
plural
verb (used without object)
-
lectures,
present (3rd person singular)
-
lectured,
past participle, past
-
lecturing
present participle
verb (used with object)
-
lectures,
present (3rd person singular)
-
lectured,
past participle, past
-
lecturing
present participle
noun
-
a discourse on a particular subject given or read to an audience
-
the text of such a discourse
-
a method of teaching by formal discourse
-
a lengthy reprimand or scolding
verb
-
to give or read a lecture (to an audience or class)
-
(tr) to reprimand at length
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
lecturesimple
-
lecturessimple
-
have lecturedperfect
-
has lecturedperfect
-
am lecturingprogressive
-
are lecturingprogressive
-
is lecturingprogressive
-
have been lecturingperfect progressive
-
has been lecturingperfect progressive
Past
-
lecturedsimple
-
had lecturedperfect
-
was lecturingprogressive
-
were lecturingprogressive
-
had been lecturingperfect progressive
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing lecture
The Vocabulary of College
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Treasure of Lemon Brown"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Guts
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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 in doubt about stairs, older people should wait for a friend or family member, but it’s also easier to lecture people after the fact.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 5, 2026
Nolan folds all of that into a hugely entertaining superhero movie without turning it into a lecture.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
Asked about entrusting such a project to Riyadh despite criticism of its human rights record, his office said: "At no point, when we attract a project, do we seek to lecture others."
From Barron's ● Aug. 24, 2026
Not too many years ago, a doctoral student in history gave a lecture.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
In the morning, his mother would venture downstairs to lecture him on the evils of selfishness and bad language.
From "Ralph S. Mouse" by Beverly Cleary
"I was feeling a lot more awake in my lectures, which was very useful," she says.
From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026
Maria Eriksdotter has participated as a consultant in one-off meetings with BioArctic AB, Roche, Eli Lilly, Biogen/Eisai and Novo Nordisk, and has given lectures at symposia sponsored by Roche and BioArctic/Eisai.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 18, 2026
That soon led to Davis taking a job arranging lectures and seminars and, later, overseeing the organization’s public programming.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
Since leaving the administration last summer, Parker has delivered a series of lectures at Christian conferences encouraging believers to “redeem the technology for the good and flourishing of society.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 5, 2026
He was there, at the request of the governments of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Chile, to give a series of lectures on world democracy.
From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple
Instead of feeling like her concerns were being heard, “I got lectured about why I shouldn’t pick that fight or I should just let that go.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 23, 2026
Joanna Fabicon, who has lectured on contemporary children’s literature at UCLA, added that educators, librarians and publishers must all grapple with the allegations against Chávez and decide how to move forward.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 23, 2026
Badenoch was born in London but spent much of her childhood in Nigeria, as well as the United States, where her mother lectured.
From BBC ● Jan. 24, 2026
She was also officer of several technical societies and lectured on technical analysis around the world.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 17, 2025
Still — while Old Chao worked on turbulence, Ralph lectured on about all that had been exciting and important and new in the nineteenth century.
From "Typical American" by Gish Jen
Like many advisers, DeLarme understands that lecturing about the risks of stock picking can fall flat.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 13, 2026
A talented artist, the young Morris had spent his national service lecturing soldiers in fine arts and had exhibited surrealist paintings alongside Joan Miró.
From BBC ● Apr. 20, 2026
Both the Pentagon and the Vatican denied a report, published in the Free Press last week, that the meeting was tense, with Colby lecturing the cardinal on U.S. military power.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 10, 2026
I’m used to lecturing, like, I plug in my computer, I have some visuals and I mostly read and speak.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 12, 2025
I conclude that she wants the latter from me as I bear her lecturing.
From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
