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:
This lesson serves as both warning and promise: What we reward when we elect is what grows.
From Slate ● Oct. 26, 2026
The divide offers a lesson for global investors.
From Barron's ● Oct. 24, 2026
Los Angeles had already learned this lesson firsthand.
From Salon ● Oct. 23, 2026
There’s a lesson, too, in sync with the vitality of these men and women who persevered, who never let an insight go unchallenged, a name go unforgotten or a memory about the Renaissance lie unadorned.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026
“After I left for my lesson today? It wasn’t there before.”
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
In his financial-literacy course, Jackson often uses lessons learned from his own money mistakes to teach his students about topics such as investing, credit cards, taxes and asset building.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026
In his victory speech, he said the election had taught him many lessons and pledged to change the way Brazil is governed.
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026
In 2021, the company promoted Carrot Academy, a collection of optional online lessons covering customer communication, produce selection and choosing appropriate replacements.
From Salon ● Oct. 25, 2026
Doyle, who was a doctor himself, had been one of Bell’s students, serving as the clerk responsible for choosing patients for object lessons, giving the future author ample time to observe the observer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
I was two or three lessons in when Russell showed up one afternoon.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
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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.
