preaching

American

[pree-ching] / ˈpri tʃɪŋ /

noun

the act or practice of a person who preaches.
the art of delivering sermons.
a sermon.
a public religious service with a sermon.

adjective

of, relating to, or resembling preaching.

a preaching tone of voice.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

preachings

plural

Etymology

Origin of preaching

1225–75; Middle English preching (gerund); see preach, -ing ¹, -ing ²

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:

preaching preachings

When I saw him at a Hispanic church in Kissimmee, he was preaching to the proverbial choir - but pitching his message with a nod to the fact that for many money is currently tight.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

But instead of preaching to the choir, he contends with society’s gray areas, never offering a solution — or even his own opinion — on the difficult topics at hand.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

Much of my life is dedicated to preaching that art, and practicing reverence for it can be the glue that keeps us together when the world wants us torn apart.

From Salon ● Sep. 17, 2026

“Go back and see what Jesus spends most of his time doing. It’s not preaching, it’s not teaching, it’s healing,” Mr. Talarico said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026

I didn’t even want to think about the preacher preaching about how God is in control of it all, or my mother, my sweet, sweet mother caught in the middle of it all.

From "All American Boys" by Jason Reynolds

Here's a closer look at the church's history, from its inception in 1890 to its practices and preachings.

From Salon ● Jun. 10, 2022

He later confessed that if he were a young Black man, he wouldn’t follow his own preachings, according to Mufson’s book.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 26, 2021

In less than two years, Maddon’s freethinking philosophy has elevated him to cult figure status in Chicago, where his Zen-like preachings are emblazoned on T-shirts sold all over the city.

From New York Times ● Oct. 6, 2016

In 1518 he went to study at the University of Paris where it is believed he first came across the preachings of Martin Luther, a German theologian who essentially founded Protestantism.

From BBC ● May 3, 2016

But his father stretched his wizened hand slowly out, and said, with difficulty, "Thou art come at the right time!" without adding whether he spoke of the preachings or of their separation.

From The Campaner Thal and Other Writings by Jean Paul

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023