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:
Perhaps the most important lesson of this week’s staggering victory is also the lesson of the days ahead.
From Slate ● Nov. 5, 2026
The second forgotten lesson was even simpler: Be likeable.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
Hinojosa, who is bilingual, flexes her Spanglish easily on the stump, telling voters that the most important lesson she ever got came from her mother was the scolding, “No te dejes.”
From Salon ● Nov. 2, 2026
London City looked like the better team for most of the afternoon at Hayes Lane but were given a harsh lesson by the visitors in how to be ruthless.
From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026
“Let that be a lesson for all of us,” Paris said to the others.
From "City Spies" by James Ponti
There are too many sappy life lessons in a film that should just be silly, simple fun.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
In the 1990s, he approached tourists in the riverside city of Hue to test whether school lessons and Voice of America broadcasts translated to the real world.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026
Being around these people you idolized, what lessons stand out to you the most?
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026
"The lessons he taught me continue to drive me forward."
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026
Kennedy wanted everyone in his administration to read it, to ponder its chilling lessons.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
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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.
