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”; 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

Rubio's deputy, Christopher Landau, even in March said that China was a lesson not to make "the same mistakes with India" by letting another country best the United States commercially.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

Chatrie asks whether the Constitution still remembers that lesson once the rummaging happens through data instead of drawers.

From Slate • May 20, 2026

It’s a good lesson for anyone with dough: Balance your own needs with the needs of others, because you never know when the tide will go out.

From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026

The only reliable lesson is that there is no inevitability in great-power rivalry.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

But I couldn’t think of which lesson it might be.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri

Related Words

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