preach

verb

ˈprēch 

preached; preaching; preaches

intransitive verb

1

: to deliver a sermon

2

: to urge acceptance or abandonment of an idea or course of action

specifically : to exhort in an officious or tiresome manner

transitive verb

1

: to set forth in a sermon

preach the gospel

2

: to advocate earnestly

preached revolution

3

: to deliver (something, such as a sermon) publicly

4

: to bring, put, or affect by preaching

preached the … church out of debt

—Amer. Guide Series: Va.

preachingly

ˈprē-chiŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• sermonize

Examples of preach in a Sentence

Have you ever heard that minister preach?

The minister preached to the congregation about the need for tolerance.

His followers listened to him preach the gospel.

The priest preached a regular sermon that Sunday.

Their mother has always preached the value of a good education.

Practice what you preach—don't smoke if you tell your children not to smoke.

The mayor continues to preach about the need for patience.

I don't like being preached at about how I should live my life.

Recent Examples on the Web

But college marketing efforts must not preach to a world that many on a campus wish existed. —Brian Mitchell, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

The science fiction novel Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein also allegedly influenced Manson, with its plot about a man from Mars who preached free love and caused a major movement on Earth. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024

Diana’s husband, James, is an unchurched priest who preaches love and practices intolerance. —Jesse Green, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2024

Some CEOs preach work-life balance for their employees. —Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English prechen, from Anglo-French precher, from Late Latin praedicare, from Latin, to proclaim, make known, from prae- pre- + dicare to proclaim — more at diction

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing preach

• preach to the choir
• preach to the converted

Kids Definition

preach

verb

ˈprēch 

1

a

: to deliver a sermon : utter publicly

b

: to set forth in a sermon

preach the gospel

2

: to urge publicly : advocate

preach brotherhood