Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for lesson

lesson

[ les-uhn ]

noun

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. something to be learned or studied:

    the lessons of the past.

  4. a useful piece of practical wisdom acquired by experience or study:

    That accident certainly taught him a lesson in careful driving.

  5. something from which a person learns or should learn; an instructive example:

    Her faith should serve as a lesson to all of us.

  6. a reproof or punishment intended to teach one better ways.
  7. a portion of Scripture or other sacred writing read or appointed to be read at a divine service; lection; pericope.


verb (used with object)

  1. to teach; instruct; give a lesson to.
  2. to admonish or reprove.

lesson

/ ˈlɛsən /

noun

    1. a unit, or single period of instruction in a subject; class

      an hour-long music lesson

    2. the content of such a unit
  1. material assigned for individual study
  2. something from which useful knowledge or principles can be learned; example
  3. the principles, knowledge, etc, gained
  4. a reprimand or punishment intended to correct
  5. a portion of Scripture appointed to be read at divine service
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


verb

  1. rare.
    tr to censure or punish
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of lesson1

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English lesso(u)n, from Old French leçon, from Latin lēctiōn-, stem of lēctiō “a reading”; lection
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of lesson1

C13: from Old French leçon, from Latin lēctiō, from legere to read
Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

see learn one's lesson ; teach a lesson .
Discover More

Example Sentences

Thirty minutes after my lesson began, I was turned loose with my Pennsylvania map, my van full of supplies, and the traps.

This result would be an extraordinary lesson in how life really can adapt to all available niches within an environment.

The TikTok “sale” is turning out to be an object lesson in what you get when governments broker tech deals.

From Quartz

The lesson of 2020 has been that brands need to tighten up every aspect of their e-commerce operation.

From Digiday

They gave her piano lessons but they couldn’t afford a piano, so Carlos’ father drew piano keys on a piece of paper so she could practice.

He was getting another lesson in what he had seemed not to appreciate fully about cops.

The second lesson is that no one writing before the twentieth century holds a key to our problems.

A senior law enforcement official suggested one early lesson from the tragedy.

The testimony is damning: the world has not learned its lesson.

“Business theory teaches us one important lesson,” says the instructress.

And remember it is by our hypothesis the best possible form and arrangement of that lesson.

“It means, my dear, that the Dragoons and the 60th will have to teach these impudent rebels a much-needed lesson,” said her uncle.

To-day I'm more dead than alive, as we had a lesson from him yesterday that lasted four hours.

Shortly after she came to her lesson limping, and remarked that she felt very uncomfortable.

At the lesson following he accordingly presented himself with his arm in a sling.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


Lessing, Dorislessor