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

Slate says that, in 1905, an issue of The Cambrian, a magazine for Welsh Americans, featured an anecdote involving a priest who, following a service, pulled a clerk aside to ask whether his sermon had been long enough. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

Stanley addressed Mohler near the beginning of his sermon. —John Blake, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024

On the Sunday after in-person church services in California shut down because of the pandemic, Steven Rodriguez stood behind his pulpit in a suit and tie and preached to about 100 empty seats for a prerecorded online sermon. —Autumn Alvarez, The Mercury News, 14 Oct. 2024

Pastors are best equipped to build that bridge, Lyons added, as people in a community turn to their church leaders for weekly sermons, celebratory family gatherings and times of crisis. —Rachel Smith, The Courier-Journal, 17 Sep. 2024

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