lesson
Americannoun
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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:
One lesson here is that immigration incentives matter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
That’s both the first and the last lesson.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 30, 2026
“The biggest lesson there was to listen to our fans and stay close to them,” Prete said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026
That lesson — how to genuinely inhabit a shared world with others — has never felt more urgent.
From Salon ● Jul. 30, 2026
Then she clapped her hands briskly, as if bringing a lesson to a close.
From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood
Lloyd also said it’s really important to find real-world ways to apply the certification’s lessons.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
Did they believe, or hope, that the improved speed and accuracy of the latest weapons and control-systems might override the lessons of history?
From Slate ● Jul. 30, 2026
“The whole industry learned a lot of lessons from how that dynamic played out,” said Sarah Sachs, head of AI at Notion, who attended the event.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
A big secret of the ambitious McCreary’s success harks back to lessons of simplicity that Bernstein taught him.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
When we get back to the community center, Luna’s there, even though her lessons are on Thursdays.
From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison
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.
