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:
She just wanted to teach Martin a lesson, but soon, social services intervene to determine whether the elderly couple has to be separated for Leslie’s safety.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
Perhaps the most important lesson of this week’s staggering victory is also the lesson of the days ahead.
From Slate ● Nov. 5, 2026
This chain of events offers a lesson for elected leaders in America.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 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
"I'm very glad Sam decided to give us all a lesson about health and safety," Mrs. Bennett said.
From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry
Helen, a pianist, offers to give Minnie voice lessons, as she did her own daughter; Minnie gets to pretend to be Callie’s beautiful and popular best friend.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
She bought workbooks, made flashcards and constantly played English lessons on speakers at home.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026
Each red flag warning brings reminders of the devastating 2025 fires in Los Angeles, and tests whether officials have heeded the lessons from the Eaton and Palisades fires.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026
Speaking about the victims' families, he said: "Above all, I hope they can take some comfort from knowing that lessons have been learned and that their loved ones will not be forgotten."
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
One of the major lessons learned on May 18, 1980, is that landslides—often called “collapses” by volcanologists—are not only possible but common.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
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