sermon
Americannoun
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a discourse for the purpose of religious instruction or exhortation, especially one based on a text of Scripture and delivered by a member of the clergy as part of a religious service.
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any serious speech, discourse, or exhortation, especially on a moral issue.
- Synonyms:
- lecture
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a long, tedious speech.
noun
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an address of religious instruction or exhortation, often based on a passage from the Bible, esp one delivered during a church service
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a written version of such an address
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a serious speech, esp one administering reproof
Other Word Forms
- sermonic adjective
- sermonless adjective
Etymology
Origin of sermon
1150–1200; Middle English < Medieval Latin sermōn- (stem of sermō ) speech from pulpit, Latin: discourse, equivalent to ser- (base of serere to link up, organize) + -mōn- noun suffix
Compare meaning
How does sermon compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
A sermon is a speech, usually religious in nature, given by a priest, preacher, rabbi, or other religious leader as part of a service. Although most sermons focus on Bible passages, you can use the word sermon more generally to refer to any speech that contains a moral lesson. Sports coaches are known to deliver moving sermons, as are teachers and camp counselors. But if you come in late, after missing your curfew, the last thing you want to hear is a sermon by your mom on the importance of keeping your word.
Vocabulary lists containing sermon
Because of Winn-Dixie
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My Life with the Chimpanzees
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Dear Martin
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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.
When he noticed people were taking the soap and skipping the sermon, he printed his beliefs on the label—30,000 words of ecstatic philosophy wedged alongside boasts about the product’s many uses: Tooth cleaning!
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
Meanwhile, Sunday marked the first time the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally delivered an Easter sermon.
From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026
It’s a sermon we’ve heard plenty of times before and possibly even delivered ourselves.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026
"There was a lot of people, it was very solemn, and there was a beautiful sermon about hope. At least let us have that: hope," said local churchgoer Jean-Claude.
From Barron's • Jan. 1, 2026
The sermon was boring, Joon replies from the back.
From "A Step from Heaven" by An Na
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.
