sermon

noun

ser·​mon ˈsər-mən 

1

: a religious discourse delivered in public usually by a member of the clergy as a part of a worship service

2

: a speech on conduct or duty

sermonic

ˌsər-ˈmä-nik 

adjective

Synonyms

• homily

Examples of sermon in a Sentence

He preached a sermon on the importance of kindness.

Dad gave me a sermon yesterday about doing my homework.

Recent Examples on the Web

The bakery went viral this week for selling cookies depicting Washington National Cathedral’s Bishop Mariann Budde, who pled with President Donald Trump to have mercy in her Jan. 21 sermon. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Jan. 2025

Budde’s sermon followed Trump’s quick Inauguration Day actions and reaction to them. —Brooke Migdon, The Hill, 23 Jan. 2025

Budde’s sermon directed at Trump on Tuesday provoked a lively reaction on social media. —Gary Fields, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025

As the bishop of Washington, Budde will likely continue to deliver sermons at the Washington National Cathedral for the foreseeable future. —Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French sermun, from Medieval Latin sermon-, sermo, from Latin, speech, conversation, from serere to link together — more at series

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sermon

noun

ser·​mon ˈsər-mən 

1

: a public speech usually by a priest, minister, or rabbi for the purpose of giving religious instruction

2

: a speech on conduct or duty