lesson

American  

[les-uhn] / ˈlɛs ən /

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to teach; instruct; give a lesson to.

2. to admonish or reprove.

lesson British  

/ ˈlɛsən /

noun

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

      an hour-long music lesson

   2. the content of such a unit

2. material assigned for individual study

3. something from which useful knowledge or principles can be learned; example

4. the principles, knowledge, etc, gained

5. a reprimand or punishment intended to correct

6. a portion of Scripture appointed to be read at divine service

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verb

1. rare (tr) to censure or punish

lesson Idioms  

1. see learn one's lesson; teach a lesson.

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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”; lection

Example Sentences

The gap between Japan and Miami will also give teams extra time to digest the lessons of the first three races and work on improving their cars.

From BBC

From its usual educational repertoire ranging from English lessons to news, content these days includes more on "personal safety and digital security... helping people to stay safe," she added.

From Barron's

The most important lesson from that irrationally exuberant time is that overvaluation can lead to below-average returns for years — and even decades.

From MarketWatch

In this week’s Don’t Short Yourself newsletter, Charles Passy shared a lesson about how lucrative it can be to write a letter of complaint.

From MarketWatch

The U.S. boomed in the 1960s, but soon stagflation taught a lesson in the risks of waging a war in Vietnam while running the domestic economy full-tilt.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• class
• education
• exercise
• homework
• instruction
• lecture
• practice
• reading
• study
• task
• teaching
• test