lecture

1 of 2

noun

lec·​ture ˈlek-chər 

-shər

1

: a discourse given before an audience or class especially for instruction

2

: a formal reproof

lectureship

ˈlek-chər-ˌship 

-shər-

noun

lecture

2 of 2

verb

lectured; lecturing ˈlek-chə-riŋ 

ˈlek-shriŋ

intransitive verb

: to deliver a lecture or a course of lectures

transitive verb

1

: to deliver a lecture to

2

: to reprove formally

lecturer

ˈlek-chər-ər 

ˈlek-shrər

noun

Synonyms

Verb

• baste
• bawl out
• berate
• call down
• castigate
• chastise
• chew out
• dress down
• flay
• hammer
• jaw
• keelhaul
• lambaste
• lambast
• rag
• rail (at or against)
• rant (at)
• rate
• ream (out)
• rebuke
• reprimand
• reproach
• scold
• score
• tongue-lash
• upbraid

Examples of lecture in a Sentence

Noun

She's planning to give a series of lectures on modern art.

Several hundred people are expected to attend the lecture.

I came home late and got a lecture from my parents.

I gave her a lecture about doing better in school.

Verb

She lectures in art at the local college.

They lectured their children about the importance of honesty.

I lectured her about doing better in school.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

At these exhibitions, Colton would start with a brief lecture explaining the gas and its scientific properties, then invite volunteers from the audience to try it for themselves. —Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025

The lecture will feature tribal representatives Stan Rodriguez, Priscilla Ortiz and Andrew Pittman, along with Nan Renner, senior director of strategic partnerships at Birch Aquarium. —La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025

Verb

For decades, Washington lectured Beijing about avoiding protectionism, eliminating barriers to foreign investment, and disciplining the use of subsidies and industrial policy—with only modest success. —Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2025

Boutros has also lectured at the University of Chicago Law School since 2011 and published two books on white-collar law. —Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, act of reading, from Late Latin lectura, from Latin lectus, past participle of legere

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1590, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing lecture

• curtain lecture
• lecture hall

Rhymes for lecture

• architecture
• conjecture
• prefecture

Kids Definition

lecture

1 of 2 noun

lec·​ture ˈlek-chər 

-shər

1

: a talk given before an audience or class especially for instruction

2

: reprimand entry 1, scolding

lecture

2 of 2 verb

lectured; lecturing ˈlek-chə-riŋ 

ˈlek-shriŋ

1

: to give a lecture or a series of lectures

2

: to instruct by lectures

3

: reprimand entry 2, scold

lecturer

-chər-ər 

-shrər

noun